Quaid’s Mazar chandelier restoration plan revived

The restoration of the historic chandelier at Mazar-e-Quaid and measures to improve facilities for visitors were discussed at a meeting of the Quaid-e-Azam Mazar Management Board on Thursday.

Federal Minister for National Heritage and Culture and board chairman Aurangzeb Khan Khichi chaired the 102nd meeting, where officials reviewed several proposals concerning the preservation and management of the national monument.

The meeting examined a proposal to restore the historic chandelier and subsequently shift it to the National Museum. Officials also discussed plans to introduce a shuttle service at Bagh-e-Quaid to provide visitors with easier access to the mausoleum.

Khichi directed the National Engineering Services Pakistan (NESPAK) to approach the restoration project as a matter of national heritage and service rather than treating it purely as a commercial undertaking.

He said the historic chandelier had been removed from its original position in 2016. Its restoration has since faced repeated delays because of financial and administrative issues associated with the proposed project.

The minister stressed the importance of preserving historical artefacts associated with the country’s founder and called for efforts to ensure that the restoration work moved forward without further unnecessary delays.

The meeting also reviewed ways to improve the experience of people visiting Bagh-e-Quaid and the mausoleum. The proposed shuttle service is aimed at making transportation within the premises more convenient, particularly for visitors who may face difficulties covering the distance on foot.

Khichi also acknowledged the cooperation extended by Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah to the Quaid-e-Azam Mazar Management Board. He said the provincial government’s support had contributed to the maintenance of Mazar-e-Quaid and helped the board manage its affairs in Karachi.

The discussions underscored the need to protect the country’s historic heritage while upgrading facilities at one of Pakistan’s most important national landmarks.