Karachi: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah and Federal Minister for National Heritage and Culture Aurangzeb Khan Khichi on Monday held a meeting to review matters relating to the Quaid-e-Azam Mazar Management Board (QMMB) and the National Library of Pakistan’s Regional Office in Karachi with both sides agreeing to strengthen coordination for the preservation of national heritage institutions and the resolution of longstanding administrative issues.
The meeting examined issues concerning the management, maintenance and security of the Mazar-e-Quaid and its peripheral areas, including encroachments, illegal dumping of garbage and construction debris, security concerns arising from the presence of drug addicts and miscreants, and proposals aimed at improving public access to the national monument. The participants also discussed disputes involving the National Library of Pakistan’s Regional Office housed within the Liaquat Memorial Library complex, including water supply, use of premises and future expansion plans.
The meeting was attended by Karachi Commissioner Hassan Naqvi, Secretary to CM Asif Jameel, Culture Secretary Khair Muhammad Kalwar and other provincial officials. The federal minister was accompanied by the National Library of Pakistan director general, QMMB secretary and senior officers of the national heritage and culture division. Officials briefed the CM on the constitutional status and responsibilities of the QMMB, which oversees the protection, preservation, maintenance and development of the mausoleum and its surrounding 131.718-acre precincts.
The CM directed the Karachi commissioner to remove encroachments from the peripheral areas of the mausoleum such as Lines Area and Khudadad Colony, take measures to stop illegal dumping of waste on the roads surrounding the monument, enhance security arrangements and provide financial support for the upkeep and maintenance of the mausoleum. The meeting was also informed about administrative and operational issues concerning the National Library of Pakistan’s Karachi Regional Office located within the Liaquat Memorial Library complex.
Officials briefed the meeting that the National Library had complained about the disconnection of water supply to its regional office. The CM directed the commissioner to resolve the water supply issue of the library. The participants were informed that historical records indicated that the Liaquat Memorial Library was transferred to the Sindh government in 1986 and declared the provincial library of Sindh, while the basement portion housing the National Library’s Regional Office remained under the administrative control of the federal government.
The meeting also reviewed concerns raised by the National Library regarding the vacation of certain premises for the establishment of a regional copyright depository and the expansion of its Karachi office. The federal authorities maintained that additional space was required to strengthen library services and develop a modern regional knowledge hub, while provincial officials highlighted the growing demand for reading facilities at the Liaquat Memorial Library, which received thousands of visitors, students and researchers daily.
The CM directed the culture secretary to settle the issue and report to him. Shah said the Mazar-e-Quaid and the country’s public libraries were national assets that must be protected and developed through cooperation between the federal and provincial governments.
“The Quaid-e-Azam Mausoleum is a symbol of our national identity and heritage. The Government of Sindh will continue to extend full support for its protection, maintenance, beautification and security,” he maintained. He added that all issues relating to the National Library and Liaquat Memorial Library should be resolved through consultation, legal documentation and institutional coordination. The federal minister said the national heritage and culture division was committed to preserving Pakistan’s cultural institutions and improving access to knowledge resources. “The National Library of Pakistan is undertaking important reforms to expand its services. We seek the cooperation of the Sindh government so that these initiatives can benefit scholars, researchers and the people of Sindh,” he said.
The meeting concluded with an understanding that the provincial and federal authorities would maintain close coordination to address the issues concerning the QMMB and National Library of Pakistan, and develop mutually agreed solutions in accordance with legal and administrative requirements.
