ISLAMABAD: President Dr Arif Alvi condemned the blast in Quetta on Friday and expressed his grief over the loss of lives.

Talking to newsmen during an exhibition of archival documents and photographs organised by the National Archives of Pakistan at the Aiwan-i-Sadr, the president said such incidents only strengthened the national resolve to completely eliminate terrorism from the country.

“The present government has done a lot of work to eliminate the menace of terrorism but due to international conspiracy, such incidents occurred,” he said, adding that the country was working for peace as it was necessary for progress.

The president said National Archives had preserved historic treasure which was of immense importance for the new generation. He said historical documents and photographs were a depiction of Pakistan’s rich cultural chronology, adding that two months ago, he visited the National Archives and decided to exhibit the rare documents and photographs for people, researchers and students.

He said he also visited Mangla Dam and saw the mural made by Sadequain. He said the 175-feet long mural was the best art piece in the world.

He stressed the need to establish modern preserving system of historical records including documents and photographs. He appreciated Dawn and said the newspaper had digitalised its archives.

He said he had some rare documents and would soon gift them to National Archives, adding that people should also give old papers and documents so that they can be preserved. A number of visitors, including media personnel, visited the exhibition.

Published in Dawn, April 13th, 2019