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CDA finally notices dilapidated Pak-Romania Friendship Monument


Monument

The bronze pillar in the middle of the monument was allegedly stolen in 2023; now its photographs are also gone and the marble stones have been broken off

ISLAMABAD: Pak-Romania Friendship Monument was erected in the heart of Islamabad on January 15, 2004. It displayed a combination of some specific characteristics of Romanian and Pakistani architecture and culture. The date coincides with Romania’s National Culture Day.

The monument had an “Endless Column” commemorating the work of renowned Romanian sculptor Constantin Brâncuși – also known as the father of modern architecture. The bronze, granite and white marble in the 20-foot high monument was overseen by Pakistani artist Jamal Shah. Inside the marble book of the mountains were the effigies of Allama lqbal and Mihai Eminescu – a tribute to the poets of both nations.

Allama Iqbal’s grandson Walid Iqbal, with the-then Romanian Ambassador to Pakistan Emil Ghițulescu inaugurated the momument. It was Ambassador Ghițulescu who proposed that both nations should commemorate their cultural ties along with the diplomatic and economic cooperation. He stumbled on Iqbal’s poetry and became fascinated with the similarities between him and Eminescu. Ambassador Ghițulescu – an accomplished poet himself – also penned three books during his time in Pakistan, exploring the shared values, culture and civilizations of both Pakistan and Romania.

Credits: Romanians of DC

In December 2023, the news first broke of the bronze pillar going missing from the monument. It is still a mystery whether that was vandalism or theft or mere desecration of a symbol of culture and heritage.

Another year down the line, and the pictures of national poets of both countries have also gone missing. Romanian embassy in the federal capital Islamabad was the first to take notice, which eventually shook the Capital Development Authority (CDA) into action as well.

HUM News has learnt that the CDA has started the reconstruction work of Pak-Romania Friendship Monument. Director Road and Market Maintenance is supervising the repair work.

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