Adil Najam
We have had some fascinating discussions about on ATP about buildings and architecture. A few days ago Pervaiz Munir Alvi took us through a tour of Pakistan’s architectural history (here). His concern about architectural neglect was not unsimilar to that expressed by Raza Rumi (here) and SAJ Shirazi (here) earlier. Earlier we have looked in detail at the architectural legacies of various cities, including Lahore (also here), Karachi (also here), Multan and, of course, had spirited discussions about the new ‘7-star’ hotel – The Centaurus – being built in Islamabad (here and here).
The discussion has been rich and many have already identified what their favorite buildings in Pakistan are. Maybe we should invite others to also join the discussion identify structures that ‘do it’ for them.
What are your architectural preferences? Which buildings in Pakistan do you find aesthetically pleasing? Which would you consider most emblematic of Pakistan and ‘Pakistaniat’? In short, what is/are your favorite buildings in Pakistan? And, always, why?
We don’t need any rules, but a few guidelines; if I may.
- You can name any building that you want, as long as it is in Pakistan and that actually exists (sorry, Centaurus does not count; not yet!).
- It does not matter if it was built before or after 1947, as long as it still exists.
- I expect that a lot of the entries will be commemorative structures (mousuleums, monuments, etc.). That is to be expected. I woudl love to also hear about which functional buildings (hotels, office towers, bridges, etc.) you find most fascinating.
- Do please also tell us why you like a particualr building (that is much more interesting than you telling us why you do not like someone else’s choice!). If you have any interesting information about the building, do please share.
- We hope to eventually turn this into a running list of “ATP Reader’s Choice,” so please do ask your friends who are interested in such issues to also come and post their choices here.
Karachi Port Trust Building
Mohatta Palace
thanks for posting this discussion, as an admirer of architecture and an outside pakistani i look forward to visiting some of the places mentioned, in particular the college in peshawar. during my limited travel to pakistan i was amazed by faisal masjid the first time i visited pakistan but after a subsequent visit i noticed the marble was dull and grey. i love the onion domes of badshahi masjid and i remember marvelling at the paintwork and engraving during my last visit to lahore…
@MQ and others
Well if you dont like Minar-e-Pakistan, its your choice, but it is still on top of my list to represent Pakistan and Pakistaniat. Let me tell you some facts about the Minar and then you can decide why this structure deserves to represent Pakistan.
1. You might have seen (in newspapers or otherwise) Kalma-e-Tayyaba calligraphed in the shape of Minar-e-Pakistan. This was an imaginative calligraphy by an artist (i am working to find out who) even before the minar was planned to be built. And taking inspiration from this calligraphy, Naseer-ud-Dina Murat khan developed the design of the minar. (Khan also designed Police training college Sihala and Qaddafi Stadium Lahore)
2. Minar’s foundation Stone was laid on 23rd March 1960 to commemorate 20th anniversary of Pakistan Resolution.
3. The 7.5 million spent on the construction was not spent by the government, rather the people of Pakistan paid for it through an additional tax.
4. There was no inaugural ceremony held on the completion, as the people of Pakistan were supposed to own and inaugurate it.
5. The Minar is located at the exact point where the stage of 23rd March 1940 resolution was erected.
6. Minar’s highest point was kept 6 inches lower than the highest point of the minarets of neighbouring Badshahi Masjid to symbolize the supremacy of Almighty Allah.
7. Minar’s base has four platform with different type of stones and marbles used to symbolize the humble beginning , political struggle, sacrifices and eventual success of Pakistan Movement.
8. The base is pointed towards Badshahi Masjid again to symbolize the religious basis of the creation of Pakistan.
9. The base includes a small pool in the shape of a crescent and a raised 5-cornered star to reflect their original meaning.
10. The arches, on one side provide the traditional touch and on the other reflect the tents in which migrants had to initially stay in 1947.
11. The arches go curving up to form a base for rose petals and to give this level of minar a shape of a flower reflecting beauty and tranquillity (which were the once our hallmark characteristics).
12. The inscriptions on the wall of lower part (under the arches) include ome Quranic verses (Surah Baqarah, Surah Al e Imran, Surah Myedah and Surah Ra’ad), 99 names of Allah, speech of Mr. Jinnah , National Anthem and Famous ‘Khudi’ poem of Allama Iqbal.
13. The 324 spiralled stairs lead up to two platforms (viewpoints) reflecting the different stages of Pakistan movement.
14. The Minar does not, in any case, obstruct the view or beauty of Badshahi Masjid. On the contrary, it provides a great view of Masjid and the surrounding areas of the city.
You may have very justified reasons for liking a particular building or architecture but i think none of those truly represent Pakistan as much as Minar-e-Pakistan. (even the structure erected near zero point Islamabad with the name of National Monument seems to be incomplete and incomprehensible).
Please allow me to share my very personal thoughts. I (and may be many other lahorites) do not take Minar-e-Pakistan as just a structure. For me, its a persona, someone my own, a friend, someone who is watching and caring for each and every citizen, who listens and absorbs the good or bad voices from all corners of the city, a symbol of unity and a silent representative of founders of Pakistan.
Ha, how could this be?
Structures and not one about Lahore’s Railway Station?
The grandest of all train stations. Oh, those echoes! The announcement that no one understood was meant to be a reminder that a train is about to pull in. And the then the ding ding of the trains. The overhead bridges to the other side.
The mad rush of the “koolie” all in red Santa suits. You knew you had to remember the “badge number” of the guy who took your luggage. (They all looked alike to me.)
So, yes, add the “tayshun” in there.