LAHORE (APP) - Renovation work at the Quaid-e-Azam Library has hit snags despite approval by the Higher Education Department to preserve the grand white Victorian structure which presents a proud emblem of Lahore’s past.
The library presents a sorry state of affairs as cracks in the walls and erosion caused by seepage have spoiled the pristine beauty of this national heritage.
After media reports, the matter was taken up by the government in June this year to preserve and restore the historic building by July 31, but no headway has been made yet in this regard.
An amount of Rs 2.86 million was allocated in ADP scheme No 52 for year 2009-10 for the preservation of the library but the sum was insufficient to meet renovation needs.
In a meeting of the Education Department under the chairmanship of the Higher Education secretary in June, it was decided to entrust renovation work to the Punjab Archaeology Department since the Communication and Works (C&W) department had showed its inability to repair the grand structure.
The meeting of the Higher Education Department asked the C&W Department to make an estimate for the purpose and hand over the fund to the Archaeology Department to carry out renovation.
Talking to APP, the chief librarian at the library said he had written to the Executive Engineer C&W to prepare PC-I for renovation adding that a request was also made to transfer the already available funds of Rs 2.860m to the Archaeology Department so that work could start at the earliest.
Education Department sources said the Rs 2.86 million funds under the maintenace and repair head could not be used for a special purpose without due approval because the amount for renovation had been allocated under special repairs only. “An approval for preservation and restoration funds of Rs 14.86 million will be considered by the department as soon as PC-I is submitted by the C&W,” sources added.
Director General Punjab Archaeology Department, Haroon Ahmed Khan, said he had received administrative approval from the Higher Education Department of Rs 14.86 million for renovation work at the library.
“I held a detailed meeting with the chief librarian to discuss modalities. Tenders have been invited through an advertisement and work will start shortly,” he added.
Security at Services Hospital
Effective steps are being taken to ensure foolproof security at Services Hospital.
Medical Superintendent Dr Muhammad Javed said Sunday that the hospital had entrusted the duties of Chief Security Officer to Maj ® Khalid Mahmood Sindhu who would monitor the performance of security guards of the hospital round-the-clock.
He said the security men have been asked to be fully alert to provide security to the patients and hospital staff. He further directed that no member of the hospital staff should leave his place of duty before the arrival of second shift staff.
MS said that he has also directed the contractors of the hospital canteen to provide particulars of the canteen workers to the hospital administration to avoid any mishap.

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