Waqf Amendment Bill will boost accountability: Darakhshan Andrabi

Anantnag, Apr 12: Chairperson of the Jammu and Kashmir Waqf Board, Dr Darakhshan Andrabi, on Saturday said that the Waqf Amendment Bill will enhance transparency and accountability within the institution, helping uncover properties that have been illegally occupied.

Speaking to Greater Kashmir during her visit to the Aishmuqam shrine in South Kashmir, Dr Andrabi said, “The Waqf Amendment Bill will not adversely impact Jammu and Kashmir or any other part of the country. Instead, it will introduce much-needed accountability within the Waqf system.” She said that, over the past three years, the Jammu and Kashmir Waqf Board has successfully reclaimed several encroached properties. “With this Bill now in place, more such encroachments will be identified and dealt with,” she added. Dr Andrabi’s remarks come in contrast to the stance of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, whose government and party National Conference (NC) opposed the Bill.

Several opposition parties, including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Peoples Conference, and the Congress, have also voiced their opposition. The Bill has sparked protests from minority communities across the country.

Earlier in the day, Dr Andrabi visited the Ziyarat Shareef of Sakhi Zainuddin Wali (RA) in Aishmuqam to oversee preparations for the annual Zool festival. The festival, celebrated at night, attracted hundreds of devotees from across the Valley. During her visit, she interacted with locals and invited suggestions to enhance the festival experience. She directed the Waqf Board’s engineering wing to expedite paneling work at the Aishmuqam mosque and called for the development of recreational spaces for the convenience of visitors.

Emphasising the importance of proper facilities, Dr Andrabi stressed the need for improved sanitation, uninterrupted power supply, and availability of clean drinking water during the festival. She later visited the Sarbal shrine in Pahalgam and assured the public that efforts were underway to improve facilities there as well.