Senate panel raises concerns over upkeep, security at Quaid’s mausoleum

ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on National Heritage and Culture on Monday expressed serious concern over maintenance, cleanliness and security conditions at the mausoleum of Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah in Karachi, and directed relevant authorities to involve the inspector general of police to help ensure law and order at the site.

The matter came up during a meeting of the committee at Parliament House, chaired by Senator Hidayatullah Khan. Members were briefed on a range of issues affecting the mausoleum premises, including the entry of drug sellers into the area, theft of fencing and encroachments in the shape of illegal shops. The committee was informed that the illegal shops had recently been removed.

Senator Syed Waqar Mehdi voiced concern over the presence of garbage inside the mausoleum premises and directed that a meeting be coordinated with Karachi’s waste management authorities to improve cleanliness arrangements. The committee also instructed that provincial police be engaged to ensure proper security and law and order measures at the mausoleum.

Committee recommendations

The panel further recommended that representatives from Karachi be included in the board responsible for overseeing the affairs of the mausoleum. Parliamentarians also decided to form a sub-committee of the National Heritage and Culture Division to monitor ongoing work and matters related to Quaid’s mazar.

During the briefing, the committee was told that the Quaid-i-Azam Mazar Management Board has five officers in BS-17 and above, while the number of officials from BS-01 to BS-16 stands at 107.

Officials also informed the committee that the total budget estimate for the Quaid-i-Azam Mazar Management Board for the financial year 2025-26 is Rs353.921 million.

Funding and renovation plans

The committee recommended that each of the four provinces contribute Rs50 million for the maintenance of the mausoleum and to facilitate members of the public visiting the site. It also said Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan should contribute according to their capacity.

The meeting was further informed that renovation and revamping work at Awan-i-Nawadarat, a museum located within the Quaid’s mausoleum complex, is currently in progress. Officials said an additional grant allocation would be sought under the Public Sector Development Programme for the financial year 2026-27.

The discussion reflected the committee’s concern over both the physical condition of the national monument and the administrative arrangements needed to improve visitor facilities, cleanliness and security at the historic site in Karachi.