ISLAMABAD: The portrait of Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah along Islamabad Expressway will be inaugurated on March 23.

The portrait of Mr Jinnah, designed by Jamal Shah, was previously constructed along the Expressway near Koral in 2005 during Gen Pervez Musharraf’s tenure.

However, in August last year it collapsed due to heavy rain. On the Quaid’s death anniversary in September and birthday in December, Capital Development Authority (CDA) installed a temporary portrait before starting this project worth Rs59 million.

The new portrait, also being designed by Mr Shah, is 60ft long and 50ft wide. A safety wall is also being constructed around it.

“The project will be completed within the time period of three months.

This new portrait will be capable of competing with the harsh weather. Length and width of the new portrait will be 50 feet and 60 feet respectively. New features have been added in writing Unity, Faith, and Discipline,” read a statement issued by the CDA on Sunday.

CDA officials said a 2mm iron sheet is being used for the portrait.

“This project is of national interest so we are fully focusing on its completion within the stipulated time. The project will be inaugurated on March 23,” said an engineer of the CDA.

Published in Dawn, March 8th, 2021