KARACHI, Jan 8: The Quaid-i-Azam Mazar Management Committee, which met here under the chairmanship of the Federal Minister of State for Environment, Maj Tahir Iqbal, decided to withdraw entry fee for the Bagh-i-Jinnah on public holidays — Aug 14, Sept 11, Dec 25 and March 23.

The minister was briefed about the construction of a complex on the vacant land adjacent to the Lines Area. He was informed that swimming pool, cricket field, squash court and table tennis court would be made available in the complex. A food park will be also be constructed at the site and would be opened during night time so that the visitors could enjoy a magnificent view of the shining mausoleum illuminated by powerful lights.

Maj Tahir asked the officials to organize visits by the children of schools all over the country to the mausoleum so that they could become better acquainted with the life and achievements of the Founder of the Nation. For the purpose, he said, audio and video facilities be made available for the visitors.

The officials told the minister that the mausoleum’s garden was badly affected by water logging and salinity problem which was deteriorating and had already caused considerable damage to the trees and plans.

The minister ordered installation of tubewells in affected areas so that the entire precious land could be saved from destruction. He also suggested application of water treatment methods as a remedy.

The officials informed him that the concerned engineers had succeeded in overcoming the seepage problem which had been caused by rains in the past.

The minister also discussed with the officials the proposed installation of Quaid’s speeches and remarks of renowned scholars about him on marble blocks besides printing of a pictorial booklet on the mausoleum.

The meeting was attended by Brig Iftikhar Haider of Corps 5, A. Rahman Memon, Vice Chancellor of Mehran University, Jamshoro and secretary Environment, Local Government, Housing and Works.—PPI