20000404

Conservation work

to be carried out

at 'Iqbal Manzil'

LAHORE: The Punjab government will undertake conservation work at the birthplace of Dr Mohammed Iqbal, a 19th century building in Sialkot which is a declared 'National Monument'.

This was decided in a meeting chaired by Punjab Information Secretary Tariq Mahmood and attended by Director General Punjab Archaeology, Director Northern Circle Federal Department of Archaeological Monuments & Museums, representative of Sialkot administration and some other officials.

Sources said that a conservation estimate is being jointly prepared by the provincial and federal archaeology departments which would be submitted by April 5 to the concerned officials.

Iqbal's residence, called Iqbal Manzil, receives a considerable number of visitors including a large number of students. The place has on display relics which belonged to the renowned and revered 'Poet of the East'. The federal archaeology department also maintains a library at the premises.ÑAPP