KARACHI’S Christ the King monument, located on the grounds of the imposing St Patrick’s Cathedral, has received a Sindh government grant of Rs10m for its beautification. The superbly crafted monument, which had suffered from the vagaries of time as well as pollution emanating from the unchecked urban sprawl outside the cathedral gates, received official attention after the local Christian community initiated efforts for its rehabilitation. Another positive move in this regard is the Punjab archaeology department’s decision to release Rs22m for conservation of a Sikh samadhi and a Hindu temple in Lahore. It is welcome that in a society that generally does not treasure its heritage and at a time when non-Muslims in this country face threats from zealots, the Sindh and Punjab governments have taken such steps. These moves need to be replicated across Pakistan, especially where the cultural and religious heritage of the country’s non-Muslim citizens is concerned. After all, there have been instances where monuments or the places of worship of various religious communities have been encroached upon or damaged during communal violence, or have simply fallen into disrepair.

Lahore, in particular, has various structures that could do with the state’s attention. While some Sikh monuments are well kept, thanks to the financial support of the global Sikh community, other structures, especially in the old city, are not in very good shape. Funding remains an issue and the government can perhaps work with communities to raise finances, along with offering infrastructure and expertise for preservation efforts. Such moves would send a strong message that the state respects the heritage of its non-Muslim citizens and wants to preserve it. For if Pakistan wants to be known as a pluralistic nation, it must treat the heritage of all communities as national heritage.