National heritage : Iqbal’s birthplace in need of preservation

SIALKOT: Though the century and a half old Iqbal Manzil in Sialkot has got a fresh look from inside after Rs14 million renovations by the government, the prolonged problem of open sewage is threatening the very existence of the base of the structure — the birthplace of Poet of the East Allama Iqbal. A building collapse around this historical locality is a real threat. The national heritage site still needs many crucial steps by the government to be preserved in its original shape and design. Apart from repairs from inside and fixing the sewer on the outside, the heritage building is crowded out in the old neighbourhood due to encroachments. Visitors face immense problems trying to reach Iqbal Manzil in Sialkot’s congested Kashmiri Muhallah. The encroachments eclipse the beauty of the recently renovated 156-year-old building.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 8^th, 2015.