A Senate committee has raised serious concerns over the transfer of funds allocated for Mazar-e-Quaid. Lawmakers directed the government not to divert money meant for the national monument to any other ministry.
The matter came up during a meeting of the Senate Functional Committee on Devolution. The meeting was chaired by Senator Zamir Hussain. Government officials informed the committee that Rs. 45 million allocated for Mazar-e-Quaid in the current fiscal year had been transferred to the Ministry of Education.
Committee members questioned the decision and sought an explanation. They expressed concern that development funds approved for one project had been shifted to another department.
Officials also briefed the committee about a larger development plan for Mazar-e-Quaid. The federal government has approved a Rs. 295 million project to renovate and upgrade the Quaid-e-Azam Heritage Museum located at the national monument.
According to officials, no funds had been released for the museum project in previous years. The current fiscal year was expected to mark the start of development work. For that purpose, Rs. 45 million had been allocated in the budget.
However, officials confirmed that the allocated amount was later transferred to the Ministry of Education. This decision prompted strong criticism from committee members.
Senator Zamir Hussain said funds approved for Mazar-e-Quaid should only be used for the project they were intended to support. He stressed that development allocations must not be redirected without proper justification.
The committee instructed the relevant authorities to ensure that future funds remain dedicated to the approved project. Members emphasized that preserving the country’s national heritage should remain a priority.
The committee also discussed the importance of completing the museum renovation on time. The planned upgrades are expected to improve facilities and help preserve historical material related to Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
Officials did not explain why the funds were shifted to the Ministry of Education during the meeting. Committee members said they expected greater transparency in the handling of public development funds.
Senator Zamir Hussain announced that the committee would closely monitor the use of funds in the coming months. He said the committee would review progress on the museum project and ensure that budget allocations are used as approved.
The discussion highlighted the need for better oversight of public spending. Lawmakers said development funds should be spent according to the approved budget. They added that projects linked to national heritage deserve special attention and should not face unnecessary financial delays.
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The committee’s directions reflect its commitment to protecting Mazar-e-Quaid and ensuring that development work moves forward without further funding diversions.
