Provision of best facilities at shrines top govt priority: Dr Ehsan

LAHORE: Secretary/ Chief Administrator Auqaf Punjab, Dr Ehsan Bhutta, has said that provision of the best possible facilities to devotees at shrines is the top priority of the department, and all necessary measures are being taken in this regard. He emphasised that ongoing development projects at shrines will be completed at the earliest and no delay will be tolerated. He further stated that Eid conveys a message of happiness, love, and mutual respect, and urged people to share their joys with others and prioritize helping the needy. He expressed these views while offering Eid prayers at the historic Badshahi Mosque, visiting the shrine of Hazrat Data Ganj Bakhsh Ali Hajveri (RA), inspecting development works at the shrine of Hazrat Bibi Pak Daman (RA), and reviewing arrangements at Data Darbar Hospital. On the occasion, Chairman Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee Pakistan, Maulana Syed Muhammad Abdul Khabir Azad, Director General Religious Affairs Shahid Hassan Kalyani, Director Administration Shakir Sindhu, Administrator Data Darbar Muhammad Ali Khan, Manager Nauman Saifi, Medical Superintendent Data Darbar Hospital, along with other officers and doctors were present. His sons, Abdul Hadi and Abdullah, were also accompanying him. Dr Ehsan Bhutta said that Eid teaches us that true happiness lies in sharing with others. Highlighting the importance of teamwork, he said that collective efforts always yield better results in every field of life, whether education, business, or social activities. He added that occasions like Eid further strengthen the spirit of unity and cooperation. He extended Eid greetings to devotees and staff, offered Fateha at the shrine of Hazrat Data Ganj Bakhsh (RA), and prayed for the country’s progress, prosperity, peace, and stability. Dr Ehsan Bhutta visited the shrine of Hazrat Bibi Pak Daman (RA), where he reviewed ongoing development works and directed that all projects be completed within the stipulated timeframe. During the briefing, he was informed that under the “Development Project Hazrat Bibi Pak Daman (RA) Phase-III,” separate blocks for men and women, modern ablution facilities, parking area, langar khana, musafir khana, kitchen, toilet blocks, and government offices are being established. He also visited the manager’s office, checked the rent register, and inspected the CCTV surveillance system. He issued directions to further strengthen security monitoring, ensure transparency of records, and align the surveillance system with modern requirements. Copyright Business Recorder, 2026