President Pervez Musharraf on Tuesday performed the earth-breaking of the National Monument that will depict Pakistan's true picture of a progressive modern nation to protect its sovereignty. The monument to be built on the scenic place at Shakarparian.
Speaking at the earth-breaking ceremony, the President said unlike other monuments that commemorate concept of Pakistan and advent of Muslims in the sub-continent, this monument will reflect the living culture and aspirations of the people of the country. "The theme of the monument is permanent in nature and is for all times to come," he added.
General Musharraf said Pakistan was misperceived as a country of extremists and militancy and this monument will show to the world and the visiting dignitaries the true and softer face of Pakistan.
"We should show to the world what Pakistan stands for. We know the art, performing art and music," he said.
Another significant part of the monument is a national ethnological museum that explains the logic, the passion and the emotions that brought the nation into being.
President Musharraf said the museum, which will be inaugurated on August 14 this year will tell the people and international visitors who Pakistan's heroes are and how rich the country's culture is.
"Pakistan will be shown in its true colours - a progressive, tolerant, open-minded modern nation that also possesses the power to protect its citizens against anyone who dares to challenge us," he added.
"This was the vision of the Quaid-e-Azam and we will continue to transform this mighty vision into reality," he added.
The monument will be completed by March, 2006 with an estimated cost of Rs 387.8 million and will be visible from all sides approaching the Capital city.
The design of the monument is of a flower with four petals each rising 55 feet high and representing the four Provinces, arching concave over the national symbol of Crescent and Star.
Flower petals cast in fibre glass with a veneer of marble will have murals and art-work depicting Pakistan's cultural diversity.
The Crescent with circumference of 126 feet, cast in steel, will have inscriptions of vital events and hallmarks in the history of Pakistan. Granite Star in the middle corresponds to the strength of those who resolved in 1940 to create Pakistan.
Crescent and the Star are to be built over a base of mosaic with lights embedded in rippling water. The project has a core area of 7 acres for the Monument and the Museum with 40 acres open space around for walkways, flowers and fountains.
"The monument presents the unity of Pakistan and will be a source of its complete history to the youth and coming generations," said Arif Masoud, who designed this monument.
Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Muhammad Aziz Khan, Chief Minister Balochistan, Jam Yousaf, Minister incharge for Sports and Culture, Raees Munir, Minister for Religious Affairs, Ijaz-ul-Haq and other government and military officials attended the ceremony.
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