Pakistan Monument located in Islamabad is conceived as the National Monument of Pakistan. The monument was constructed as a tribute to the people who sacrificed their lives for the independence of Pakistan. It represents the history, civilization and culture of Pakistan and mainly focuses on historical events of Pakistan Movement. The murals on the petals of flower shaped architecture features Pakistan’s cultural heritage and historic events of Pakistan Movement.
Pakistan Monument was built by Ministry of Culture. After the approval of the idea of a National Monument the Ministry of Culture with the help of Pakistan Council of Architects and Town Planners (PCATP) organized an all Pakistan competition to design an architecture around the theme representing history, culture, and civilization of Pakistan mainly focusing on Pakistan Movement. The foundation stone for the architecture was laid on 25 may 2004. Pakistan Monument was completed on 23 March 2007 with a total cost Rs. 580 million. The blooming flower shape of the structure represents Pakistan as a rapidly progressing country.
The monument is shaped like a blossoming flower. It is spread over an area of 28000 square meters. The design of Pakistan Monument consists of four large petals and three small petals. The four large blossoming flower’s petals are made of granite. They represent four provinces Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab and Sindh of Pakistan three smaller petals represent three territories Azad Jammu & Kashmir, FATA and Gilgit Baltistan.
The inner walls of Pakistan Monument’s granite petals are decorated with murals. These murals are mainly based on Islamic Art. The decorating team led by Zarar Haider Babri and Kausar Jahan spent 119,000 hours of artwork.
The first petal starting from the right side depicts the images of Shah Faisal Mosque, Malki Tombs, Rohtas Fort , Shahjahan Mosque and Gawadar.
The second petal features Quiad-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Fatima Jinnah, Badshahi Mosque , Minar-e-Pakistan, Karakorum Highway , Shila Tunnel, and a crowd cheering at Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s public appearance.
The third petal features features the images of Allama Iqbal, the Tomb of Shah Rukn-e-Alam, Civilization of Indus Valley, Mahabat Khan Mosque, Indus River Delta and Lahore Fort.
The fourth and last petal reflects Uch Sharif Tomb, Islamia College Peshawar, the Ziarat Residency , Shalamar Gardens, Sheesh Mehal, Lahore, the Khyber Pass and a polo match.
The artistically designed architecture of Pakistan Monument is National Monument of Pakistan. It provides information about Pakistan’s culture, heritage and history in a unique way. It reminds us of all the sacrifices our ancestors made to achieve the goal of an independent country for us. Pakistan Monument Museum is also a worth visiting place.