Iqbal Manzil Sialkot Needs Immediate Attention

This news updete by www.thearynews.com


SIALKOT: Iqbal Manzil Sialkot, the birthplace of great philosopher and poet Allama Muhammad Iqbal, needs immediate repair and renovation for keeping its originality and protecting it from further damage.

Cracks have been developed in the western wall of Iqbal Manzil and with every passing day the big cracks are developing rapidly which would ultimately further damage the building.

Similarly, cracks have also been enlarging rapidly inside the building but concerned authorities were ignoring and reluctant to undertake its repair work promptly.

If the negligence of Archaeology department and other concerned authorities persists, Iqbal Manzil will collapse anytime.

The poor and chocked sewerage surrounding Iqbal Manzil Sialkot poses serious and permanent threat while seepage is also threatening the building structure, especially the foundation.

About 36 years back the house (birth place of Allama) was purchased by the federal government and placed it under the control of Archaeology Department for its preservation as a historic place.

At the time of purchase of the house it was in a neglected condition and needed repairs and proper maintenance. Iqbal Manzil was renovated and properly furnished with a view to create an atmosphere of the golden days when Allama lived in it.

The structural repair was accordingly carried out to intact the shape and design of the building and three rooms at the rear of the present Iqbal Manzil have been furnished and decorated to create original environment, wooden furniture like takhts, beds, almirahs, wood chests and a cradle were also placed.

All these items are old and taken from the collection donated by the previous owners of the house. In order to provide more facilities to the visitors to this historic house a library and reading rooms have been set up at Iqbal Manzil.

The library consists of more than five thousand books mainly on Iqbal besides the works of the philosopher, poet and humanist besides Quran, Hadis, philosophy, history, literature, jurisprudence translation of Allama Iqbal's work.

The library was catering the needs of researchers, writers and students interested to study Iqbal's philosophy and thought.

It may be mentioned that the proposal of setting up a full-fledged "Iqbal Study Centre" at Iqbal Manzil was under consideration of Punjab government where all necessary material including books written by various authors, research work on Allama Iqbal would be placed for accommodating the researchers and students intending to work on the poetry and philosophy of Iqbal.

It is very unfortunate that the proposed project is still in doldrums.

Immediate attention and timely action of district government and TMA Sialkot is direly needed for removing the encroachments and widening of the road to ensure the visitors especially diplomats and other foreigners to visit Iqbal Manzil without any hassle.




Via news