ISLAMABAD: Th portrait of Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah erected on a hillock along Islamabad Expressway near Koral collapsed following overnight rain.

According to the Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad (MCI), the Quaid’s portrait collapsed on Wednesday night during a windstorm.

“It’s painful to see this incident on Independence Day. As an alternative, we got affixed panaflex temporary posters,” said Deputy Mayor Syed Zeeshan Naqvi.

Mr Naqvi, who also visited the site and supervised the affixing of the posters, said resetting the portrait was a time taking process and would be done in coming days.

“We will have to construct a new foundation platform and repair the portrait,” he said.

Meanwhile, MCI spokesperson Mohsin Sheerazi said they got two new temporary pictures of Quaid affixed on the hillock. He said on the direction of Mayor Sheikh Anser Aziz, the Directorate of Municipal Administration (DMA) installed the two pictures of the Quaid at the site.

Along with the portrait, the hillock also bears the famous quotes of the father of the nation: “Unity, Faith and Discipline” written in metallic letters both in English and Urdu.

The deputy mayor said if needed a private company will be asked to carry out the work under the corporate social responsibility.

Published in Dawn, August 15th, 2020