Lyallpur Museum battles funding shortfall

No permanent curator appointed; additional charge given to arts council director

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JARANWALA:

The Lyallpur Museum remains incomplete even after 13 years due to a lack of funding from the Punjab government.

The absence of essential infrastructure has led to the deterioration of antiques and artefacts without proper preservation measures.

Sources within the museum revealed that while the institution has a sanctioned strength of 12 posts across sanitation, security, research, accounts, museum education, and IT departments, employees have been working as daily-wage workers for over a decade.

These workers continue to face job insecurity, as the threat of downsizing looms over them.

Adding to the administrative setbacks, it was only in 2024—after 13 years—that rules and regulations for the museum's smooth operation were approved.

The museum administration has repeatedly submitted a demand list to the Punjab Information and Culture Department, requesting essential funds amounting to Rs20 million for air-conditioning, humidity control systems, laboratory equipment, directional boards, touchscreen video displays, lighting, walk-through gates, and the establishment of a tuck shop and public toilets. However, these requests have remained unfulfilled.

The museum currently operates on an insufficient annual budget of Rs300,000, which barely covers the costs of stationery, paint, and fuel expenses. Additionally, no permanent curator or director has been appointed, with the post frequently being assigned as an additional charge to the director of the Arts Council.

Revenue generation remains a challenge as the museum management has yet to introduce a ticketing system.

Sources further highlighted that the museum's current building lacks the capacity to accommodate even 100 visitors at a time, emphasizing the urgent need for additional state land to facilitate expansion.

Civil society and the business community have been urged to support the museum's development and contribute historical artefacts for preservation.

Director Lyallpur Museum, Imran Raza, confirmed that special requests for funding have been dispatched to the Punjab Finance Department and Faisalabad's Chamber of Commerce.

"We have asked trade bodies to donate funds for building essential facilities like toilets and a tuck shop to make the museum more visitor-friendly," he said.

He also acknowledged the museum's space constraints, as it is currently housed on only 10 marlas of state land.