Auqaf dept ordered to form body to probe ‘theft’ of Nalain Pak

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Wednesday directed the Auqaf Department to constitute a special committee to probe into alleged theft of Nalain Pak (shoe) of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) from the gallery of Badshahi Masjid.
Justice Muhammad Anwarul Haq was hearing a petition moved by Pir SA Jafri who questioned inefficiency of the government authorities to fix responsibility for the incident. The petitioner’s counsel told the court that several applications were filed to the authorities concerned since the incident of theft took place in July 2002, but no serious action had been taken so far except registration of an FIR.
The judge expressed concern over inordinate delay in investigation and indifferent attitude of the authorities. A law officer said serious efforts had been made for the recovery of the Nalain-Pak. A reward money of Rs2 million was announced for providing information about the incident, he added. Justice Haq directed the Auqaf Department to form a committee to dig out the facts of the incident. The judge also ordered the Auqaf administrator and superintendent of police concerned to appear before that committee. Hearing was adjourned till December 22.