‘Conservation work on Iqbal’s residence be expedited’

Senator visits national poet's home, seeks progress report on conservation work

LAHORE:

The Chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on National Heritage and Culture, Afnan Ullah Khan, on Thursday ordered the authorities to speed up work on the conservation plan of Allama Muhammad Iqbal's residence.

He also ordered the Department of Archaeology & Museums (DOAM) to present progress report every three months during the committee’s meetings.

He said this while chairing the Senate Standing Committee meeting at the Aiwan-e-Iqbal in the provincial capital.

Later, he visited Allama Muhammad Iqbal's residence at Mcleod Road.

Senators Irfan-ul-Haq Siddiqui, Kheshoo Bai, Atta Ur Rehman and Farzana Khan, the Secretary of the Committee, Dr Abdul Azeem, the Director-General of the Department of Archaeology & Museums (DOAM), and others attended the meeting.

Afnan Ullah Khan said that Allama Iqbal was a great philosopher, and conservation of his residences was our responsibility.

He said that Pakistan could achieve a clear distinction in political, economic, social and religious spheres “if we follow the thought and philosophy of the great poet, Allama Muhammad Iqbal, in true spirit”.

"Although Allama Iqbal's dream about Pakistan had been materialized under the leadership of the Quaid-e-Azam in 1947 by creating Pakistan, we could not achieve the level of thoughts and actions as desired by the great poet," he added.

Showing keen interest in Iqbal's residence, Afnan also planted a tree in the premises.

Earlier, the Director of the Iqbal Academy, Prof. Dr. Baseera Ambreen, briefed the committee about the working of her department and its issues including long-standing vacant important posts of patron and vice president.

The committee assured her that it would take measure in this regard.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 10^th, 2023.