ISLAMABAD, Sept 27: President General Pervez Musharraf on Friday laid the foundation of National Monument here at Shakarparian Hills, dedicating it to all the greats of Pakistan - dead or alive.

Speaking at the foundation laying ceremony, he said the monument was dedicated to all those great, dead or alive, who contributed in nation-building and in various fields, including science, industry, economic, agriculture and art.

All these people, the President said, contributed to make a better tomorrow for their future generations.

The monument designed by Arif Masood was selected from among 20 entries and was adjudged best by a team of jury comprising country’s noted architects from Pakistan Council of Architect and Town Planning.

The monument will be 50-feet high, built on a foundation which itself will be as high as 25 feet.

The point of erecting it was most suitable as it overlooks the entire capital, and can even be seen from Rawalpindi for its height, the President said.

The President said he conceived this idea during his visit to various countries where he was taken to some museum or monument for laying wreath.

He said, he thought of having such a monument in Pakistan on which people could be proud of.

He stressed the need for promoting art and culture in Pakistan which was rich in civilization and artistry. “The country has artists of repute and capability but are lying dormant due to lack of encouragement.”

The President said he had directed all governors to initiate cultural activities in the provincial capitals to promote country’s culture and art.

As part of promoting culture, he said, Lok Virsa in Islamabad had already been expanded with the introduction of history and cultural museums.

He appreciated the procedure of designing this monument through competition.

He said a steering committee of architects had been constituted to oversee the construction of the National Monument, which would be completed in two-years.

The minister for culture, Col S.K. Tressler (retired) said it was President Musharraf’s sustained interest in the project that made it possible today.

The chairman of the Jury Committee, Arshad Abdullah, said the design was selected through a most transparent and fair manner as the entry was anonymous to prevent any biases.

A total of 20 entries were received after the project was advertised in the national media and out of that three best were picked up, he said.

The President later gave away cash prizes and certificates among the top three and those who took part in the competition.

The first award went to Arif Masood with a cash prize of Rs200,000; Naveed Alam won the second prize with cash award of Rs150,000; and third prize was given to Salman Mansoor with a cash award of Rs100,000.—APP