ISLAMABAD: City managers have decided to form a separate wing for repair, maintenance and upkeep of Faisal Mosque.

The Capital Development Authority (CDA) decided to start repair and overhauling of the mosque and a PC-I worth Rs250 million for one year has been prepared by its Engineering Wing. The PC-I will be presented to the CDA chairman on Saturday (today) for consideration.

According to a press release, CDA Chairman Amer Ali Ahmed directed the member engineering and member finance to prepare the PC-I for complete and comprehensive renovation of the mosque. Sources said following the directive, both offices of the members remained busy on Friday as they prepared the PC-I in the evening, which will be presented to the CDA chief.

During the last four decades, no major renovation of the mosque was carried out, Mr Ahmed said, adding parking areas as well as toilets were in a bad condition.

PC-I for mosque’s renovation to be presented to civic body’s chairman today

CDA used to do necessary maintenance through its own funds and funds provided by the federal government, which was too meagre for proper maintenance, the statement read.

“This mosque is a landmark not just for Islamabad but the entire country so an allocation worth Rs200 million shall be made from CDA’s funds,” it said, adding that a separate wing will be created that will have a complete team for horticulture, maintenance, electrical as well as civil works.

The CDA chairman directed the Directorate of Municipal Administration (DMA) not to issue a licence or contract to anyone for collecting parking fees as this place should be made available for all visitors.

“We will not allow anyone to collect fee in the name of parking. There should be free parking for everyone who comes to visit the iconic Faisal Mosque,” the chairman said in the meeting.

The ownership of the affairs of the mosque is with the CDA and International IslamicUniversity Islamabad (IIUI) is responsible for management of the mosque.

An official said that since the CDA and IIUI were involved in affairs of the mosque, the civic agency had not paid any heed towards its proper repair.

Following the visit of King Faisal Abdul Aziz to Islamabad in 1966, an international competition was held for the selection of the mosque’s design which was won by Turkish architect Vedat Dalokay.

Later, the foundation stone of the mosque was laid by King Khalid bin Abdul Aziz in 1976 and the project was completed in 1988.

The iconic mosque is one of the most visited places in Islamabad as besides worshipers a large number of people also visit it.

Published in Dawn, May 7th, 2022