KARACHI: Director, Institute of Business Administration IBA and former Governor, State Bank of Pakistan Dr. Ishrat Husain inaugurated SBP Museum & Art Gallery at State Bank, Karachi.
He said he was delighted to see one of his projects transforming into reality. "Though this project was started in my tenor yet its completion is result of collective efforts of my successors, Dr Shamshad Akhtar, Syed Salim Raza and present Governor, Shahid H. Kardar whose relentless efforts have made my dream fulfilled." He said Shahid Kardar believes in institution building and his patronage for this project will never be forgotten."
He said there is hardly any central bank in the world, which does not have a monetary museum. Having a monetary museum is a usual function of a central bank. "One of reasons of establishing museum in this building was that we always wanted to preserve original character of this monumental and historical building. We also wanted to preserve gems of world’s great artist Sadequain that were acquired by former SBP Governor, Hasnie during his tenor."
He said building where this monetary museum is housed has historical significance and when idea to establish monetary museum was conceived, there was a library in this building. "We shifted library to Learning Resource Centre (LRC) and decided to utilize this building for SBP Museum and Art Gallery. Pakistani artists have great potential and it is duty of our state institutions like SBP to patronize and encourage talented artists especially the young." He asked SBP employees to own this project as it is one of best SBP has ever initiated.
Shahid Kardar said museum first of its kind in Pakistan was result of efforts of Dr. Ishrat Husain. He paid tributes to Museum Advisory Committee especially its chairperson, Mrs Sabiha Hassan and members Prof. Salima Hashmi, Dr. Kalimullah Lashari & M Nayyar whose dedicated efforts made this project worth seeing. "I was really touched by work and rare collection its houses. SBP is biggest repository of Sadequain’s murals. I was always inspired by great artistic work of Sadequain, who was great friend of his father."
Azhar Kureshi, Executive Director SBP said Pakistan is joining proud group of few nations, who boast of having monetary museums. "It is definitely a fact that Pakistan successfully launched one of best monetary museums." Dr. Asma Ibrahim, Director, Museum & Art Gallery, SBP said collections in museum are exceptional. SBP is going to unveil Sadequain’s murals not seen by public before this day. "Our collections span over 2500 years from all corners of the subcontinent."
Museum comprises Coin Galleries, Stamp Gallery, Currency Gallery, History of State Bank, Governors’ Gallery & Art Gallery. History of SBP & Governors’ Gallery’ depicts history of SBP from its establishment in 1948 till to-date. Art Gallery displays Sadequain’s murals and other rare paintings.
Archives deals with acquisition of archival materials related to historical manuscripts, history of Pakistan, art, historical books. Technical Section consists of conservation lab, modeling section, which is responsible for conservation of coins, archival materials, for preservation, consolidation.
Copyright PPI (Pakistan Press International), 2011
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