LAHORE, Nov 13: The foundation stone of the delayed Baab-i-Pakistan project would be laid on March 23 next year after its completion in around two and-a-half years.

This was stated by Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi while presiding over a meeting of the governing council of the project here on Saturday.

The monument envisioned by the late Ghulam Haider Wyne, the former chief minister, in the early 1990s would be constructed over 110 acres on the Walton Road where the largest refugee camp was established at the time of the creation of Pakistan.

The chief minister said the project would be completed under the direct guidance of President Pervez Musharraf, who was also the chief of the Baab-i-Pakistan's governing council.

In its first phase, the main monument, gardens, headquarters of the Boys Scouts Association and a boys and a girls high schools would be constructed. This phase would cost Rs800 million, he said.

The meeting approved constitution of the project's executive committee, which would be responsible for ensuring the completion of the project within the stipulated time.

It was headed by the chief minister whereas the provincial minister, Col Shuja Khanzada (retired), was its vice-chairman. Its members included Justice Javed Iqbal (retired), Faqir Aijazuddin, Mehnaz Rafi, Fasih Iqbal, Lahore Nazim Mian Amer Mehmood, the chief secretary and secretaries of the finance, information, and communication and works departments.

The governing council approved the creation of management, finance and technical sub-committees that would function under the executive committee.

The council also approved in principle the creation of the library and art sub-committee. It would collect books written on the Pakistan Movement and the leaders who spearheaded it.

Briefing the meeting, Col Khanzada said the Baab-i-Pakistan would reflect the culture of all the four provinces. The governing council had already approved its initial design and now all related departments would play their role in the completion of the project.

The meeting was attended among others by Justice Javed Iqbal (retired), Senator S.M. Zafar, Sartaj Aziz, Faqir Syed Aijazuddin, Mehnaz Rafi, Humayun Gohar, Dr Alexander John Malik, Chief Secretary Kamran Rasool, Lahore Nazim Mian Amer, Finance Secretary Salman Siddique, Communication Secretary Sibtain Fazle Haleem, Information Secretary Taimur Azmat Osman and the project director, Maj Shakil Ahmad (retired).