Shrines’ protection must for religious tourism promotion: PM

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday said that shrines of Sufi saints situated across the country were the nation’s heritage, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

Chairing a meeting held in Islamabad to discuss a grand project aimed at developing and managing the shrine of Sufi saint Hazrat Ali Hajveri (popularly known as Data Darbar), besides the restoration and renovation of Lahore’s Badshahi Mosque and other shrines in the country, he said protection of these sites was necessary if religious tourism in the country was to be promoted.

He stressed the need for proper utilization of the land surrounding these shrines so that hospitals and educational institutions could be built over there.

Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar, Provincial Minister for Auqaf Pir Syed Saeedul Hassan, Provincial Minister for Finance Hashim Jawan Bukht, Special Assistant to Punjab CM Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan, chief secretary Punjab and other senior officials attended the meeting via a video link, while Minister of State for Information Farrukh Habib was also present.

The prime minister, on the occasion, was briefed in detail about the project aimed at protecting, restoring and renovating Lahore’s historical sites.

Regarding the Data Darbar project, PM Imran was told that under the project more facilities would be provided to the devotees both inside and outside the shrine of the Sufi saint apart from developing the infrastructure around it.

Besides that, he was informed, there was a plan to make the shrine center of religious tourism as well as that of religious learning.

Under the project, Data Darbar would be transformed into a welfare center where the deserving people would be served meals, provided accommodation and education, the prime minister was informed.

Besides that, he was told, management of the shrine would also be made stronger so that the visitors could avail the facilities of car parking and others.

Regarding the Badshahi Mosque, PM Imran was told that the plan had been devised to improve facilities for the faithful by renovating Tabbaruk Gallery, Quran Hall and the mosque’s courtyard.

Similarly, the concerned officials also briefed the prime minister about the steps being taken to restore and renovate other shrines in Punjab.

Reporter Awais Kiani