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Allama Iqbal’s birthplace to finally get a facelift
The Conservation, Rehabilitation and Restoration of Allama Iqbal Manzil, Sialkot, would go towards transforming the national poet’s residence into a tourist attraction. — File Photo ISLAMABAD: Rectifying 60 years of negligence, Ministry of Culture Thursday constituted a committee for its project to restore Allama Iqbal’s birth place. The Conservation, Rehabilitation and Restoration of Allama Iqbal Manzil, Sialkot, would go towards transforming the national poet’s residence into a tourist attraction. The decision was made during a meeting of Secretary Culture Moinul Islam Bukhari with an eight-member delegation of concerned officials from Sialkot.Mr Bukhari said his ministry had requested for allocating Rs14 million budget to revive Iqbal Manzil during next fiscal year 2009-10. ‘This effort will help educate young and locals as well as serve as glimpses of our historical heritage to foreign visitors,’ the secretary said. In this regard, the ministry proposed acquiring adjacent buildings to transform and beautify the place into a park. The committee includes former Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) president Mian Naeem Javed (chairman) and Department of Archaeology and Museums director-general Fazaldad Kakar.The secretary assured that his ministry would make utmost efforts for completing the project in its true form by encouraging public-private partnership. ‘Preservation and promotion of cultural and historical heritage is instrumental in strengthening the identity of a nation,’ he said.The ministry would also seek professional assistance from prominent architect, Nayyar Ali Dada, to improve architecture of the place for promoting tourism in Sialkot city, Mr Bukhari added. On the occasion, former foreign affairs minister Abdul Sattar appreciated the decision for renovating and restoring Iqbal’s birth place, saying: ‘60 years negligence has been rectified.’Dr Fazaldad Kakar gave a multimedia presentation on Iqbal’s residence, showing dilapidated rooms and seepage problems. DAWN: Friday, 12 Jun, 2009 |
