SIALKOT, Jan 19: A special team of senior interior decorators and engineers visited the 147-year-old rundown Iqbal Manzil, the birth place of Allama Muhammad Iqbal, here on Friday.

DCO Maj Rizwanullah Baig (retired) told journalists that the team had thoroughly examined the crumbling Iqbal Manzil and expressed grave concern over the present state of the structure.

He said the provincial government had chalked out a multi-phased plan for the early repair of the building. For this purpose, he said that engineers had completed a detailed survey.

At least Rs0.5 million were required to bring Iqbal Manzil to its original shape, he said.

Meanwhile, the DCO pledged to remove all hurdles in the way of establishment of the Journalists’ Colony in Sialkot.

He said the provincial and district governments had identified about 100 acres of land for the colony near Koobey Chak.

Punjab Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi had announced the establishment of the Journalists’ Colony in Sialkot some three years ago.