LAHORE, Sept 14: A team of senior officials despatched to the Alhamra Cultural Complex’s Permanent Art Gallery by the chief secretary on Thursday confirmed that the building had developed cracks, and sought three-day time to assess the extent of the damage and suggest its remedy.

The gallery has been closed for safety of the visitors and staff. Shifting of its treasure of works by master painters to some “safe” place has also been ordered.

Chief secretary Salman Siddique, who had taken a serious notice of the reports regarding damage to the building and the lack of remedial action by the officials concerned, contacted information secretary Taimur Azmat Osman and communication and works secretary Ahmad Yar, directing them to rush to the gallery and check its building. With them were chief engineers of the communication and works department for a technical opinion.

Official sources in the civil secretariat said the chief secretary also contacted Lahore Arts Council executive director Asghar Husain Gilani, and directed him to join the two secretaries. Mr Gilani was in the middle of a meeting of the LAC’s board of governors convened to discuss the issue.

The sources said the officials found that the middle ceiling of the building stood on various pillars, and cracks had developed in them probably because of the weak foundations. However, they said the real cause would be determined after a detailed inspection of the building most likely with X-rays during the next three days.

They said the inspection would reveal whether the damage had been caused accidentally or because of the substandard construction.

Any negligence on the part of the officials concerned with regard to the maintenance of the building would also be checked.

Officials said the decision whether the government would repair the building or ask the contractor to foot the bill would be taken after a report by the team.