Paintings in govt offices to be digitally preserved

Work begins in provincial capital before extension to other cities

LAHORE: The provincial government has initiated measures to preserve paintings adorning the walls of its public offices. Paintings worth billions of rupees are present in government offices in all 36 districts across Punjab, The Express Tribune has learnt.

These paintings are showcased in the government departments and offices of commissioners and deputy commissioners.

Reportedly, the paintings have been acquired for government offices at various times since the establishment of the country and placed in senior officers' rooms. One of these paintings is estimated to be worth more than Rs15 million.

However, no action had been taken earlier for ensuring the protection of these artworks, although they are a valuable asset of the government.

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A team has started work in this regard under the directives of Punjab Information Secretary Raja Jahangir. In the initial phase, the paintings in the provincial capital are being preserved and the work will be extended to other cities later. Reportedly, digital copies of the paintings will also be preserved.

The information secretary has formed a special team which is preparing digital record of the paintings in the government offices and indexing them so that they can be saved and their record compiled.

The secretary says these paintings are a national asset and a prime specimen of the country's art heritage.

“This art must be showcased at national and international levels so that more people would know about their history and culture.”



He added that in the initial phase, the paintings at offices in Lahore will be secured and used to promote art in all areas of the country. “The record will be uploaded on websites after indexing along with the location of the paintings.”

Apart from this, it is also being ensured that the paintings are protected and they are displayed in the right place and not damaged by light or dust, he explained. “We are trying to ensure that the paintings are preserved and considering all these aspects, the paintings in government departments across the province are being digitised.”

He further said that the record was being compiled now for the first time. “Due to the compilation of this record, if anyone wants to do any research on a painting, they will be facilitated.”

Students across the country will be able to review and get information about the paintings on the websites, he highlighted.

The official maintained that the paintings of government offices across Punjab would be digitally preserved. “In the first phase, paintings are being preserved in the government offices of Lahore, including those in Civil Secretariat, Chief Minister House, Governor House and other government departments in Lahore Museum.”

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After Lahore, the work will be carried out in government offices in Multan, Faisalabad, Bahawalpur, Sheikhupura, Gujranwala and Sialkot, he mentioned.

He remarked that these paintings were created by renowned painters including Ijazul Hassan, Ustad Allah Bakhsh, Sadequain and Saeed Akhtar, so they are of national importance.

He added that after careful calculation, it is estimated that these valuable and rare paintings are worth billions of rupees as there are 36 districts of Punjab where government offices are located in major cities. “These paintings are adorning the walls of most offices.”

Published in The Express Tribune, February 19^th, 2020.