Proposes ban on political gatherings in periphery of mausoleum
In a bid to stop political activities/gathering in the area of Quaid-e-Azam’s Mausoleum, the National History and Literary Heritage (NH & LH) Division has submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Law and Justice, seeking amendments in the Quaid-e-Azam Mazar (Protection & Maintenance) Ordinance, 1971.
Under the proposed amendments in the Quaid-e-Azam Mazar (Protection and Maintenance) Ordinance of 1971, no one is allowed to organise, convene or take part in any political activity in the form of procession, demonstration and public gathering over the property managed by the QMMB (Quaid-e-Azam Mazar Management Board).
Official documents available with Pakistan Today disclosed that the National History and Literary Heritage Division is all set to prohibit all political activities in the periphery of the Quaid-e-Azam Mausoleum.
The Division has sought the Law and Justice Ministry’s opinion on proposed amendment in Quaid-e-Azam Mazar (Protection & Maintenance) Ordinance, 1971 “ so that no political activity could be allowed in peripheral areas of the mausoleum to ensure no further deterioration of area,” said the documents.
Many political and religious leaders held gatherings, in the past, at the Quaid-e-Azam Mausoleum in order to gain public sympathies and support.
In order to stop political forces from further using/exploiting the mausoleum for political purposes, the National History and Literary Heritage Division has proposed the amendments in the ordinance.
Available documents further stated that obtaining a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the QMMB prior to construction of a building within the area of 1.2 kilometres of the mausoleum would be mandatory which would be granted through the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) chief controller.
Pakistan Today has also learnt that a summary to the prime minister for an inclusion of the Karachi mayor in the QMMB is under process.
The QMMB has requested the Sindh inspector general (IG) and Sindh Rangers director general to ensure constant patrolling around the mausoleum in order to avoid security hazards
Documents also revealed that the National History and Literary Heritage Division had approached the Ministry of Planning, Development and Reforms to allocate funds for the Greater Quaid-e-Azam Park.
Similarly, the QMMB had also approached the Sindh government to formulate a plan for the development of surrounding areas of the BQA into a heritage city.
Earlier, Sub-Committee of the Senate Standing Committee Information Broadcasting and National Heritage directed the National History and Literary Heritage Division to consider and work out a plan to develop the surrounding areas of the mausoleum into heritage city namely Pakistan World and adjacent areas might be converted into a vehicle-free zone.
The committee also recommended that the Liaqat Memorial Library should also be placed in the domain of the federal government/QMMB. However, placing Liaqat Memorial Library under the federal government/QMMB domain required constitutional amendments because it was transferred to the Sindh government after the 18th Constitutional Amendment, 2010.
