Punjab government approves restoration of unique murals

Lahore: Punjab government has accorded approval to the project for restoration of unique murals created by the world acclaimed Pakistani artist, late Sadiqain which have been displayed on the ceiling of Lahore Museum. The project to safeguard this national heritage from the effects of humidity and other bad weather conditions, will be accomplished with the technical assistance of an Indian NGO “Intach” having expertise in conservation work of this specific nature with a cost of rupees four million.

This was disclosed by Senator Sardar Zulfiqar Ali Khan Khosa, Senior Advisor to the Chief Minister Punjab, on his visit to the Lahore Museum today. He was accompanied by the Provincial Advisor Begum Zakia Shahnawaz, Secretary Information and Culture Punjab Abdullah Khan Sumbal and Additional Secretary Syed Tahir Raza Bukhari. Director Museum Ms. Sumaira Samad gave a briefing to the Senior Advisor about the historic significance of the artifacts preserved in the Lahore Museum. She told that 48 pannels of the Sadiqain’s murals having a size of 6×8 feet will be restored under this project. During the visit of different galleries of the Museum, Sirdar Zulfiqar Ali Khan Khosa expressed his satisfaction over the conservation steps taken by the management to protect the rare artistic work of Quranic calligraphy and artifacts pertaining to the pre and proto historic sites of Pakistan from the stone-age to Gandhara civilization including sculptures of fasting Buddha, plaster cast of the lion pertaining to the capital of Asoka at Sarnath and utensils excavated from Harrapa site.

Sardar Zulfiqar Ali Khan Khosa also visited the painting exhibition held at Lahore Museum in connection with the celebration of World Women Day. Classic paintings and miniature work depicting the social status of women in this region of the world in different eras including the paintings of late Mrs. Anna Molka Ahmed, Mrs. Amrita Sher Gill, Mr. Zain ul Abideen and Mr. Ahmed Chughtai besides handicrafts, jewllery and many other crafts related to the social life of women folk have been displayed in the exhibition which will continue to be exhibited till March 30.