Uch Sharif

THE Punjab government has drastically cut down the annual budgetary allocation for Auqaf and Religious Affairs Department in the provincial budget 2011-12 by 46 per cent earmarking a total of Rs 150 million for the current fiscal year against an amount of 276 million allocated for the previous year.

A major chunk of this allocation, Rs 85 million will be spent on the ongoing schemes including construction and upgradation of shrines and provision of different facilities to pilgrims across the province. 

The remaining 65 million rupees will be spent on new schemes being undertaken in Lahore, Chiniot and Khanewal. 

According to budget document, the biggest chunk from the ongoing schemes’ allocation is Rs 30 million, which will be spent on construction of Seerat Academy Lahore. Rs 24.071 million will be spent on upgradation of public facilities at the shrine of Madho Lal Hussain, while 5 million rupees will be spent on re-flooring of the courtyard of Badshahi Masjid Lahore. Besides, Rs 20 million will be spent on upgradation of public facilities at shrine of Hazrat Makhdoom Rasheed at Multan, Rs 4.026 million will be spent on conservation and restoration of shrine at Uch Sharif, Bahawalpur, and Rs 1.903 million will be spent on public facilities, washrooms, kitchens and dispensaries at shrines according to customised modular design. 

Four new schemes have been identified for the current fiscal year including construction of a mosque at the shrine of Hazrat Miran Hussain Zanjani at Lahore, with Rs 20 million, restoration and conservation of Mosque Wazir Khan Lahore with 5 million rupees, while rupees 3 million will be spent on construction works at Mosque Eid Gah, block No 11 Khanewal and construction works at a mosque attached with the shrine of Pir Mohammad Shah Hammbu Anna at Chiniot with Rs 4 million.