Information Minister Mian Iftikhar on Friday declared Islamia College University (ICU) national heritage. This university was founded by Sir Sahibzada Abdul Qayyum in 1913. The announcement was made by him while inaugurating Mian Rashid Hussain Block in ICU.
He added that the institution was a precious asset that the nation should be proud of.
He directed the authorities not to distort the historical architecture of the varsity rather preserve it without damaging the architecture. Mian Iftikhar maintained that the graduates of the university were playing an active role in the development of the society.
Referring to the abducted vice chancellor of the varsity, Ajmal Khan, the minister viewed that he had rendered tremendous services to the education sector. He added that strenuous efforts were underway for safe release of Ajmal Khan and announced that the government was ready to fulfill the demands of the abductors.
The minister asserted that the savior of the nation was in making use of the pen rather than the sword. He said that the government had introduced many education reforms for this very purpose.
Founder of the Nation Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah visited the college, now a university, in 1936, 1945 and 1948. The Quaid Trust paid an amount of Rs10811600 in different installments to the institution.
Vice Chancellor of ICU Madam Dr. Noor Jehan, Chairman Pashto Department Abasin Yousafzai and Director Archeology Department Dr. Shah Nazar also addressed the gathering.