Pak Prez Zardari tops the dargah gifts list with Rs 5 crore

New Delhi, Apr 10: Rs 5 crore gift donated by Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari towards the maintenance and welfare of the people associated with the Ajmer dargah has topped the list of such offerings previously done by Pakistanis.

Earlier, in 2005, his wife Benazir Bhutto had offered Rs 1,50,000 to the dargah after her husband was released from jail. Meanwhile, former president Pervez Musharraf had offered Rs 10,000.

Sources reveal that the members of the dargah committee are looking forward for the instructions from the Pakistani high commission on how to utilize the funds.

It is believed that Zardari instructed the high commission on how the 'nazrana' should be utilised and distributed. Earlier, Pakistani authorities contributed directly to the priests.

"Even if the devotee puts the money inside the astane (crypt) or the deg (cooking pot), the money is given within an hour to khadim with a percentage deducted by the Anjuman," said a dargah source.

A delaration over Zardari's donation was made over the loud speaker by the Anjuman. "Yes, he announced the offering but did not make it clear who would receive it," said Iqbal Kaptan, Zardari's Khadim.

"It's not cleared whether the announcement is for 'nazrana' or for dargah's development," said Waheed Angara, secretary, Anjuman.

OneIndia News