LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Wednesday directed the Auqaf department to constitute a committee to inquire into alleged theft of the slippers (Nalain Mubarak) belonging to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) from the gallery of Badshahi Mosque.

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 theft took place in July 2002, but no serious action had been taken so far except registration of a first information report.

The judge also 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 slippers. A reward of Rs2 million was also announced for providing information about the incident, he added.

Justice Haq directed the Auqaf department to form a committee to dig out facts of the incident.

The judge also ordered the administrator of Auqaf and the superintendent of police concerned to appear before that committee. Hearing was adjourned till Dec 22.

Published in Dawn, November 30th, 2017