A 12-member high-level delegation of Bangladeshi civil service officers visited the historic Badshahi Mosque on Monday during a three-week training programme organised by the Civil Services Academy. The delegation was warmly received by Secretary/Chief Administrator Auqaf Punjab Dr Ehsan Bhutta, Director General Religious Affairs Hafiz Anees-ur-Rehman, Additional Secretary Auqaf Nabeela Javed and other senior officials of the Auqaf Department.

The visiting officers were briefed about the mosque’s magnificent Mughal architecture, historical significance and spiritual importance. The delegation was also shown sacred Islamic relics preserved at the mosque, associated with Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH), Ahl-e-Bait and Sahaba-e-Karam. The guests expressed deep interest in the relics and appreciated Pakistan’s rich Islamic and spiritual heritage.

Addressing the delegation at Iqbal Hall, Dr Ehsan Bhutta said Pakistan and Bangladesh were linked through shared history, faith and deep cultural and spiritual relations that continued to strengthen mutual respect, fraternity and brotherhood between the two countries. He said the universal message of Islam, rooted in peace, love, tolerance and spiritual enlightenment, served as a strong bridge among Muslim nations.

He said such visits and exchanges promoted harmony, intellectual cooperation and people-to-people contacts based on a shared Islamic identity. He added that Lahore had always remained a centre of Islamic scholarship, Sufi teachings, literary excellence and intellectual enlightenment, while Pakistan’s mosques, shrines and spiritual centres reflected the country’s rich Islamic heritage, religious tolerance and commitment to humanity.

Highlighting the Punjab government’s development programme for 2025-26 and 2026-27, Dr Ehsan Bhutta said restoration and development work on 48 mosques and shrines was underway across the province. He added that around Rs9.5 billion had been allocated for the development of Data Darbar to facilitate pilgrims and preserve spiritual heritage. He said Punjab was the land of great Sufi saints and poets whose teachings promoted peace, love and tolerance.

He mentioned the shrines of Shrine of Baba Farid Ganj Shakar, Shrine of Bulleh Shah, Waris Shah, Bibi Pak Daman and Mian Mir Shrine as symbols of spiritual enlightenment, love and interfaith harmony. Dr Ehsan Bhutta termed the visit of the Bangladeshi delegation historically significant, saying it reflected the growing institutional cooperation, administrative collaboration and strengthening people-to-people ties between the two countries.

He also thanked the Civil Services Academy for organising the training programme and facilitating the delegation’s visit to the historic mosque. The delegation later visited the mausoleum of Allama Dr Muhammad Iqbal, where they offered Fateha and paid tribute to his philosophy of Muslim unity, self-respect and intellectual awakening.

A reception was also hosted in honour of the delegation at Iqbal Hall, where traditional Punjabi hospitality was showcased through the presentation of turbans to male members, a shawl to the female member and cultural gifts including copies of “Kashf-ul-Mahjoob” and books on Iqbaliyat. The delegation was also served langar from the shrine of Hazrat Data Ganj Bakhsh.

The delegation appreciated Pakistan’s hospitality, Lahore’s spiritual atmosphere and efforts to preserve Islamic heritage and Sufi traditions. Director of the Civil Services Academy Dr Shabbir Zaidi thanked the Auqaf Department for the excellent arrangements and hospitality. He also appreciated the services of Dr Ehsan Bhutta, saying he had earned recognition in recent years for the restoration of 11 museums and galleries.

Head of the Bangladeshi mission Salma Siddiqua Mehtab also thanked Dr Ehsan Bhutta and his team for the warm reception and generous hospitality. Later, Khateeb Badshahi Mosque Maulana Abdul Khabeer Azad offered special prayers for Pakistan’s peace, stability, prosperity and unity of the Muslim Ummah.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)