Home > Pakistan News & Library>> Quaid-i-Azam Library in disarray
 LAHORE, Gaping cracks in the walls and the ceiling, deepening erosion caused by the dampness, and a stuffy odour in every nook and corner is how one can describe the historic Quaid-iAzam (Jinnah) Library building, still a proud emblem of Lahore’s past.
The building is now a ghostly remain of a once grand white structure which won awe and admiration of the onlookers. It presents a picture of apathy and neglect since little effort has been made to preserve this historic structure, despite several constant reminders by the library staff.
The absence of a Board of Governors (BoG) for the last eight months is one reason for the deplorable condition of the library.
Chief Librarian Muhammad Taj told APP that a sum of Rs1.7 million had been sanctioned by the Higher Education Department for the restoration of the building. He has sent many reminders to the Director-General, Libraries, Punjab, since September 2008, but the work could not start.
Libraries DG Imran Ghani told APP he had sent many reminders to the secretaries of CW and education but to no avail. He said the CW department was responsible for this inordinate delay.
Two new extension basement blocks are being constructed around the library but no attention has been paid to the original building which needs to be preserved. These two basement structures are the major cause of the dampness as the work has lingered on for years.
Sources in the Education department say that the absence of a BoG of the library is the main reason of the neglect.
Official sources said the new BoG constitution was delayed due to political problems.
The Libraries DG was convinced that the BoG should generate its funds rather than seeking funds from the Libraries Department. The sources said that the new funds would be allocated for the library in the next Annual Development Programme. |
