Sindh Minister for Culture, Tourism and Antiquities Syed Sardar Ali Shah said it was a matter of grave concern that millions of rupees have been received in the name of buildings’ erection but with no utilisation.
He expressed these views while speaking to reporters during his surprise visit to Jinnah Cultural Complex in Karachi.
The provincial minister was very upset over the non-functioning of the complex despite its huge main building of library and 365 seats auditorium. He showed his unhappiness over this dismal situation and warned the officials to get the complex functionalised as soon as possible.
He said that the Mushfiq Khuwaja Trust has been in contact with him for the handing over of a floor of this complex to them for their literary and cultural activities. He said that in this regard a memorandum of understanding will be signed within a week.
Responding to questions of media persons, Syed Sardar Ali Shah said it was a sad fact that thousands of rare manuscripts housed in the libraries and museums are endangered and unless they are preserved on computer in the form of digital images, they may soon disappear or get mutilated beyond recognition.
“Similarly, thousands of rare literary magazines are gathering dust in our libraries, in many cases unattended, and researchers sometimes have to travel hundreds of miles to benefit from them, these periodicals, too, are facing extinction”, he said.
Mushfiq Khuwaja Trust has been working in collaboration with the University of Chicago as the latter has acquired a huge collection of 40000 books and 18000 research journals, that would be kept in this Jinnah Cultural Complex once the MoU is signed, he said.
He further told that the provincial works and services department would be asked to complete the electrification work of the complex so that it may be functionalised without further delay.
The culture minister directed the in-charge of complex to get the library section opened for the students and that there must be literary and cultural activities on regular basis so that the purpose of erecting such building may be achieved.
Briefing the culture minister, Executive Director Nasir Javaid said that Mushfiq Khwaja (1935-2005) was one of those few literary researchers who retain their sense of humour despite the dry and drab nature of their work, and the sobriety of research activities only enhances their wit and gift of repartee. A few years ago, a trust was formed comprising Dr Jameel Jalibi, Dr Kaleemullah Lashari, Mushtaq Ahmed Yousufi and others to provide the researchers with better facilities and enhance the scope of activities.
Sardar Shah directed the culture secretary to expedite the work on collaboration with the trust to get the complex functionalised in a short span of time.