The Sindh government has decided that the real estate development firm, M/s Bahria, will renovate the shrine of the city’s patron saint, Abdullah Shah Ghazi.
It would be decided later if the management of the shrine would also be handed over to the firm or some other private party, in light of the rules and powers of the Auqaf Department.
M/s Bahria had shown interest in renovating the shrine, which is spread over an area of 27,600 square yards.
After finalising discussions, the provincial government could amend the orders and rules, and a necessary ordinance might also be issued.
All property of the shrine, however, would remain under the Auqaf Department, whereas the management and administrative control would be handed over to the private party.
A meeting to discuss this issue was held at the Sindh Chief Minister’s House on Saturday, chaired by provincial chief executive Qaim Ali Shah.
Shah said saints and religious scholars, who arrived in the province from various Arab countries, preached the teachings of Islam in the Subcontinent, and Hazrat Abdullah Shah Ghazi was one of them.
He said there is a need to provide facilities at the shrine in accordance with the vision of Benazir Bhutto, who had started development work when she was the prime minister.
“The devotees would be provided several facilities at the shrine, including an elevator and separate sections for men and women,” he added.
Sindh Auqaf Secretary Syed Abid Ali Shah said a scheme costing Rs 107 million was chalked out in 1995 during Benazir Bhutto’s government, the cost of which is to be shared equally by the federal and Sindh governments.
He said the scheme includes renovation of the main shrine, mosque, chashma, langar khana, dispensary and rest house.
He also said a project management committee, including six official and five unofficial members, has been constituted.
The meeting was also attended by provincial Auqaf Minister Dr Muhammad Rafique Banbhan, Senator Faisal Raza Abidi, Chief Secretary Raja Muhammad Abbas, Finance Secretary Naveed Kamran Baloch, Information Secretary Mumtaz Ali Shah, Meher-e-Munir Foundation Chairman Sabir Daud, Sarwat Ijaz Qadri, Kanwar Dilshad, Mufti Jan Muhammad Naeemi and Shabbir Abu Talib.
And now a privatised mazar of Abdullah Shah Ghazi?
