Forces, Other Agencies Illegally Occupying 5997 Kanals Of Wakf Land

Minister of State for Haj & Auqaf, Syed Farooq Ahmad Andrabi Saturday said army, paramilitary forces and other government agencies have been illegally occupying 5997 kanals of Auqaf land adding that steps are afoot to retrieve the land.
He said the government is working to streamline the Wakf Board and utilize its assets for the welfare of the society.
The Minister was speaking at the conclusion of the discussion on demand of grants Hajj and Auqaf, for the year 2016-17, an official spokesperson said this evening.
The Minister said that the Board is mulling to establish scientific and technological institutes, colleges, shopping malls and high rise buildings.
He said that Wakf has total land of 107894 kanals, out of which 96709 kanals stands notified. He said that 5997 kanals of land is under illegal occupation of forces, government departments, individuals and others, further adding that steps are afoot to retrieve the land.
The Minister said that number of buildings and religious structures are being constructed/renovated all around the state. He said that the Board provides salary to 460 Imams, besides providing monetary support to 488 widows/destitutes and scholarship to Orphans.
Terming the establishment of Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University as major achievement of Wakf Board in 2002 the Minister said that the Board has till date provided Rs 38 crore to the University roughly at the rate of Rs 2 crore per year after the initial grant. The Minister said that the nursing colleges established by the Board will offer admissions from August 2016.

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