Zubair Qureshi
Workers of the Metropolitan Corporation of Islamabad (MCI) braving the rain, the sun and the uncertain weather conditions are making day-and-night efforts to reinstall the collapsed iron structure carrying portrait of the Founder of Pakistan Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and his famous quotes: Unity, Faith, Discipline written in metallic letters both in English and Urdu.
The portrait had come down to the ground after heavy rains and stormy winds earlier this week. As the news and pictures of the collapsed portrait of the Quaid’s spread on media and social media, MCI directorate of engineering came into action and a team of the senior officers led by Deputy Mayor Zeshan Naqvi reached the site to assess the damage done to the structure and to monitor the efforts for early re-installation of the portrait and the quotation.
The portrait of the Quaid installed on a hillock along Islamabad Expressway near Koral had almost become synonymous with Islamabad’s green and clean character and all those travelling on the road always feel inspired to see their dear leader, founder of the country on a lofty hill.
According to the MCI the Quaid’s portrait collapsed on Wednesday night during a windstorm.
While talking to Pakistan Observer, Deputy Mayor of the MCI Syed Zeeshan Naqvi said the corporation’s first and foremost priority was to reinstall and re-affix the structure. “Meanwhile, as an alternative, we have put a panaflex as a temporary arrangement,” said Deputy Mayor Syed Zeeshan Naqvi.
Naqvi also visited the site along with MCI team and supervised the operation saying the resetting the portrait was a time taking process and would be done in coming days.
“We will have to construct a new foundation platform and repair the portrait,” he said.
The two new temporary pictures of Quaid have been installed on the hillock in the meanwhile.
The deputy mayor said Mayor of the MCI Sheikh Ansar Aziz was also in constant touch with the staff and relevant department and both of them were personally monitoring the pace and quality of the operation. “If needed a private company will be asked to carry out the work under the corporate social responsibility,” he said.
