The Punjab Department of Archaeology has announced that the newly developed Sialkot Museum will be inaugurated on December 25. The decision was finalised after consultations led by the Secretary Tourism, Archaeology and Museums, Punjab, Dr. Ehsan Bhutta, who said the project aligns fully with Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s “Magnificent Punjab” vision and Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb’s province-wide commitment to preserving archaeological assets.
A high-level meeting held in Lahore brought together key stakeholders, including Deputy Commissioner Sialkot Saba Asghar Ali, Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Syed Ehtisham Mazhar, representatives of the Punjab Small Industries Corporation, and officers of the Department of Archaeology. The participants discussed Sialkot’s historical and cultural significance in detail, underscoring the city’s longstanding role as a centre of craftsmanship, heritage, and regional identity.
During the meeting, the Chamber President assured full cooperation for heritage initiatives and praised Dr. Bhutta’s ongoing efforts, particularly the establishment of the Business Facilitation Center and development of the Tannery Zone, both of which are aimed at strengthening Sialkot’s industrial and cultural sectors. Discussions also focused on the restoration and development of Sialkot Fort and the newly created museum, with the Chamber reaffirming its commitment to supporting the fort’s rehabilitation.
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Dr. Bhutta acknowledged the contributions of several departments and officers in bringing the museum project close to completion. Deputy Commissioner Saba Asghar Ali facilitated the provision of the building, while Director General of Archaeology Zaheer Abbas Malik established two key galleries, Archaeology and Heroes of Sialkot. In addition, PSIC Managing Director Saira Umar and her team developed the Art and Craft (Industrial) Gallery, designed to showcase Sialkot’s craftsmanship legacy.
Following the meeting, Dr. Bhutta, accompanied by officials from Archaeology, PSIC, ADC Sialkot and AC Sialkot, visited the museum to review ongoing development work. He instructed all departments to accelerate progress to ensure readiness for the December 25 inauguration and announced that he would conduct another inspection on December 13.
Later, Dr. Bhutta visited Iqbal Manzil, the ancestral home of Allama Muhammad Iqbal, where he directed that restoration estimates be prepared to return the building to its original 1861 state. He also ordered the activation of the LED system to enable screenings of documentaries highlighting Iqbal’s life, poetry, and philosophy for students and visitors.
