ISLAMABAD: The presidency is planning to preserve a treasure of rare collection of books that were written or translated in Urdu language in the sub-continent before partition.

The collection was shifted to Pakistan at the time of independence in 1947 and presently they are kept in Karachi Museum.

Under a project called Urdu Bagh, which is being supervised by the presidency and Anjuman-e-Taraqqi Urdu Pakistan (ATUP) a new building complex is being constructed in Karachi.

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During a meeting on Tuesday, President Mamnoon Hussain expressed satisfaction on the pace of development of the project and said Urdu Bagh would emerge as a national institution.

According to President’s spokesperson, Mr Hussain praised the National Engineering Services of Pakistan (Nespak) for ensuring high standards in the construction of the complex.

The president was quoted as saying: “Urdu Bagh, on completion, will lead to promotion of Urdu language and give a fillip to literary activities in the city.”

He directed Nespak to provide the estimated cost of the remaining work.

The meeting was informed that Nawab Waqarul Mulk formed the organisation in 1903 with the name Anjuman-e-Taraqqi Urdu (ATU) to protect Urdu literature in the sub-continent and at a time when a frontline leader of Pakistan Movement Maulvi Abdul Haq became the head of this organisation, the treasure of 60,000 books including rare books were transferred to Pakistan via Hyderabad Deccan and Delhi and two members of transporters’ team were said to be killed on the way.

The treasure contains those precious books on modern sciences and knowledge that were translated into Urdu in Usmania University in Hyderabad. It includes over 30,000 manuscripts of famous poets and literary figures including a Dewan (anthology) of legend poet Mir Taqi Mir.

Digitisation of rare collection of books is also included in Urdu Bagh project and the system will be installed when the complex is completed.

The meeting was informed that the structure of the complex has been constructed for which the presidency had released a grant of Rs20 million last year. It will be completed and furnished by next year.

Prominent Urdu poet and writer Jamiluddin Aali served as a head of the ATUP and the Urdu University was established under the aegis of this organisation.

Published in Dawn, December 9th, 2015