SMBR orders opening Badshahi Masjid antiquities section to public

LAHORE : Senior Member Board of Revenue, Punjab, Nabeel Javed, has directed the immediate opening of the antiquities section at Badshahi Masjid to the general public, ensuring greater access for both local and international visitors to Pakistan’s national, historical, and Islamic heritage.

During an inspection of Badshahi Masjid and Iqbal’s Mausoleum, SMBR emphasised the importance of enhancing public facilities and preserving the sites’ architectural charm. He was accompanied by Secretary Auqaf Tahir Ali Bukhari, Administrator of Badshahi Masjid Muhammad Ali, and Director of Conservation and Planning Najm-us-Saqib.

SMBR ordered the replacement of worn-out tiles at Iqbal’s Mausoleum, noting that previous tiles were imported from India and similar replacements may be sourced internationally if not available locally. Additionally, he mandated the installation of a modern sound system within seven days to facilitate continuous Quranic recitation at the mausoleum.

Further directives included the waterproofing of Badshahi Masjid’s building, improvements to drainage, electrical systems, and lighting of the minarets.

Directive to complete renovation of Children Library by Feb 25’

Punjab Minister for Education Rana Sikandar Hayat presided over the 19th meeting of the Board of Governors of the Children Library Complex (CLC), in which the progress of the restructuring plan of the CLC was reviewed and various issues were discussed to make the CLC sustainable.

Talking to the members of the BOGs, the minister said that the Nawaz Sharif Centre of Excellence for Early Childhood Education would be established in the Children Library. In this context, effective steps should be taken to make the CLC a sustainable model. He instructed the CLC management to increase their approach to private schools for the membership of CLC and increase the facilities according to the interest of children.

The minister also approved the formation of four committees based on Finance, Procurement, Technical and Grievance Committees for the improvement of CLC.

In the meeting, it was also approved to give one-month salary as honorarium to all the staff of the CLC, while the minister also gave instructions to complete the restructuring of the Children Library till February 2025.