SIALKOT, Nov 8: The 144-year-old Iqbal Manzil continues to be neglected by the government functionaries concerned despite the adoption of a resolution in the district council for its renovation six months ago.

Despite the resolution, the district government did not allocate even a single penny for the birthplace of Poet of the East in its budget for the current financial year.

The Tehsil Municipal Administration (TMA) has also turned a blind eye to the dilapidated structure. The local business community has also not been able to honour its commitment to making contributions for renovation of the building.

District government officials claim that it is the responsibility of TMA to look after Iqbal’s birthplace while the TMA claim that the building is a responsibility of the district government.

Addressing a public meeting in Sialkot on Oct 24, Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi announced a special package of Rs2 billion for the uplift of district but not a single penny for Allama Iqbal’s birthplace.

The building is in a shambles. Its rickety doors and cracked walls and roofs speak volumes for the neglectful attitude of the authorities concerned.

As a result, there has been a marked decline in the number of visitors to this forgotten national heritage over the years. There was a time when some 300 people used to visit the building daily. Now, it attracts only around two dozen visitors.

The government had purchased the building from Allama Iqbal’s family and handed it over to the archaeology department, terming it a national heritage.

Parts of the building were reopened to visitors by the military government in 1999. The front looks in a better shape as it has been whitewashed. Visitors still have no access to the upper storey.

Iqbal’s famous Hookah, fireplace and other belongings are rusting away.

Presidents and prime ministers never visit the birthplace of Allama Iqbal to pay homage to the great poet while visiting the city.