KARACHI, April 19: A function was organized at the old campus of the NED University on Monday to commemorate the International Day of Historic Monuments and Sites. The day, notified by the International Commission on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), is celebrated around the world and the programmes that are organized to mark the occasion focus creating awareness and highlighting importance of historic sites and monuments to ensure that every one could have a sense of protecting and preserving the invaluable assets of a state.

Prof Anila Naeem, a conservation architect, gave a detailed presentation on the restoration of the venue of the function, the historic campus of the NED University. The restoration work is being sponsored by the federal government's National Fund for Cultural Heritage.

The campus is located in one of the most beautiful stone-masonry buildings in the down town, she said. She pointed out that since the university had been re-established at the new campus on the University Road, the old campus building had not been utilized fully for years. Its structure, she added, was decaying fast.

She said that the renovation work under the federal project was aimed at restoring the historic building's old glory. She said that the building has a distinctive stone-made chimney that makes it a unique structure.

She said that after completion of the work, the building's proper maintenance would be ensured and it would be put to an appropriate use. She also gave a detailed presentation on various issues relating to the cultural heritage in the country.