ISLAMABAD, Jan 9: The Ministry of Minorities and Culture will construct a national monument at the west viewpoint, Shakarparian Hills, official sources told Dawn.

The monument will be based on the theme, 'Dedicated To The People Of Pakistan Who Sacrificed Their Today For A Better Tomorrow'. The PC-I of the project is awaiting final approval by the government after which modalities will be finalized to start construction work. The concept and design of the long-awaited monument was approved by the president and prime minister during a steering committee meeting on July 10, 2003.

The government has planned to start construction of the monument in March this year and will complete the project within two years, the sources said. The construction of the monument had been under the consideration of the government since the capital city was planned.

The number of committees in this regard were formed to study the proposal and make recommendations on the concept, design and location for the monument in Islamabad. A jury of very experienced architects was formed to select the best design out of 20 submitted to the council.

Three short-listed designs were presented and discussed with the president, and the design submitted by Arif Masoud, a Pakistani national, working as design director with an architectural firm in Saudi Arabia, was selected.

The high ground at west viewpoint Shakaparian Hills was personally approved by the president after visiting the sites proposed by the CDA at F-9 Park and Jasmine Garden.

The site comprises a plateau with about seven acres of sloping terrain around it. The plateau is about a 100 feet above Zero Point. The site is most ideal from the perspective of location, accessibility, visibility and prominence, the sources said.

The monument will be visible from all sectors of Islamabad, some parts of Rawalpindi, all vintage points around the twin cities and on days of good visibility even from Murree Hills. Located next to Zero Point at the junction of Sharai-i-Faisal and Kashmir Highway, it will remain the point of focus for all visitors coming to the capital even when the airport is shifted to its new location in future.

The monument will comprise four blossoming flower petals representing 'The People of Pakistan' standing united, shoulder to shoulder, taking care of the crescent and star, the icons of Pakistan. The inner walls of the petals will be decorated with murals and artwork of assorted nature reflecting the culture of Pakistan from Kashmir to Chitral, Hunza and down from Khyber to Kech, Bhambore and Thar.

The large metallic crescent will be inscribed with historical events from the history of Pakistan. The shining granite star in the centre will have a pan around it, which will contain bubbling water glistening with submerged lights of varying colours adding to the beauty of the structure specially at night when the whole monument will be lit up.

Opposite to the monument's main plaza will be the building of Pakistan Museum. The theme of Pakistan Museum is different from other two museums in close vicinity of the monument i.e the National Museum of Ethnology and the Museum of Natural History.

This museum will house exhibits highlighting the struggle and sacrifices made for the creation of Pakistan, followed by development achievements in more than five decades in all the fields e.g science and technology, industry, agriculture, communication, defence production, health, education, art and culture etc.

Green patches and walkways around the whole complex and the two viewpoints on the extremities have also been planned. A walkway will link the monument with east viewpoint.

A car park will be made well before the entry gate for people's convenience. A see-through fence and gate with guard room will take care of security aspects. A very high standard of maintenance will be needed to keep the whole complex in immaculate condition round the clock, for which a maintenance organization will be created as soon as the monument is completed.