The event for the World Monuments Day was celebrated on 18 April 2009 at the NED City Campus, also serving as the National Secretariat of International Council of Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) formally. This day is celebrated worldwide to look after architectural heritage including monuments, group of buildings and sites. ICOMOS Pakistan Chapter commemorates the international day on 18th April annually and organizes several programmes focusing on heritage issues. ICOMOS Pakistan Chapter was also felt proud to launch the National ICOMOS website by Dr. Kaleemullah Lashari.
The event based on the presentation of renowned experts who shared their knowledge and technical expertise in the field. The famous engineering firm Mushtaq and Bilal presented the structural restoration of Shish Mahal, Lahore Fort. MS Sadaf Fatima showed very interesting presentation on it. It was done with the collaboration of UNESCO. The main objective of the project was to save the prestigious structure from the decay and damages with the consideration of conservation bye laws.
Dr. Kaleemullah Lashari, Director General, Special Projects in Sindh Government highlighted the ongoing works and achievements by department of antiquities, Government of Sindh. Further he explained his efforts to make large stride in sensitizing the interested people with the technical awareness to contribute in cultural heritage. His department provides training on preserving heritage of Sindh with the scientific methodology such as Archaeological Survey, Field & Heritage Exploration, Petrography Technicians, Conservation Chemist and Mural Painting & Mural Conservation. Architect and Planner Arif Hasan gave a comprehensive overview about heritage affairs in the country. He spoke forcefully and in some detail on the importance of tangible and intangible architecture of the city. He emphasized upon building up the capacities of institutions and certain drastic measures including enforcement of statutes related to heritage management.
At the end of the presentation, Prof. Dr. Noman Ahmed, Chairman of NED - Architecture Department, took the guest for visit of Restoration of NED city campus, inaugurated by the Governor Sind, Dr. Ishrat-ul-Ebad Khan earlier on 17th April. After the refreshment, the programme concluded with the Documentary on "How art created the World" by Dr. Nigel Spivey, with the collaboration of History Group, DAPNED.
Overall the seminar was success in bringing heritage concerned together, who shared their contribution in preserving heritage. Conservation today is a multidisciplinary activity all over the world, it has become a challenge to contribute our services to an international level, but we can always do something at national level.
Ayesha Agha Shah
Lecturer, DAPNED
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