Two PHA officials suspended over Allama Iqbal statue in Lahore

LAHORE: A day after the severely trolling of the Allama Iqbal statue in Gulshan-e-Iqbal park of Lahore, the city’s Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) announced that it suspended two officials.

According to a notification issued by the Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA), the two officials were suspended due to “inefficiency and negligence from duty with immediate effect,”. It is pertinent to mention that the decision comes just a day after the Allama Iqbal sculpture trolling online.

Allama Iqbal Statue, Allama Iqbal Sculpture, Gulshan-e-Iqbal park — PHA notification.

Pictures of the Allama Iqbal sculpture from the Gulshan-e-Iqbal park in Lahore went viral on social media and some people started reaching out to the authorities to have it removed as it hardly resembled the legendary poet.

People of Punjab, Lahore to be precise, seem to have a thing for effigies and statues, and often create them as a heartfelt tribute or an act of gratitude. However, the government or higher authorities are usually involved in such services to ensure the aptness of the craft at hand.

But, the case is somewhat different with the latest Allama Iqbal sculpture erected in a park of Gulshan e Iqbal area, Lahore.

The snowy colored carving was shaped by some local gardeners of the square, as a display of their admiration to the poet of the East. With small budget and resources available, the devotees had erected and unveiled the honorable statue of Allama Iqbal on the 73^rd birthday of Pakistan.

Soon after the social media uproar regarding the controversial figure intensified, PTI official Yasir Gillani stepped in, as he cleared the air through his tweet.

“Dear, this is prepared by maalis at their own, they made it in sheer love for Iqbal and to pay homage from their heart.” said the PTI official on Twitter. “Authority didn’t approve or even paid a single penny for it.”

“WE WILL ADDRESS IT but can anyone see from maalis eye’s, their love and their عقیدت,” he added.

Dear, this is prepared by maalis at their own , they made it in shere love for Iqbal and to pay homage from their heart. Authority didn't approved or even paid a single penny for it.
WE WILL ADDRESS IT but can anyone see from maalis eye's, their love and their عقیدت, pic.twitter.com/qAdf0Nw4E9
— Yasir Gillani PTI (@yasir_gillani) February 2, 2021

The Allama Iqbal statue has been taken down and according to Nadia Tufail, the spokesperson of the park in Gulshan-e-Iqbal area of Lahore, it will be put back up after making necessary improvements.

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