West Pakistan Waqf Properties Ordinance, 1959 was issued to establish a new department to maintain and regulate prominent shrines, mosques and other waqf properties. Accordingly, Auqaf and Religious Affairs Department started its working in 1960. In 1972, the Department was made provincial subject. Later in 1976, it was federalized but finally in 1979, it was again provincialized. The governing law followed by the Department is Punjab Waqf Properties Ordinance, 1979.
The Department is headed by the Minister Auqaf and Religious Affairs. The administrative head of the Department is Secretary / Chief Administrator Auqaf.
The Department administers below mentioned institutions / bodies: