RAWALPINDI: Fatima Jinnah Women University (FJWU) has engaged journalists from Rawalpindi and Islamabad to build public support for the preservation of the historic Mohan Singh Haveli and the establishment of the proposed Fatima Jinnah Gallery and Heritage Museum, an initiative aimed at protecting Pakistan’s cultural heritage.
The interactive session, held on Thursday and chaired by Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Bushra Mirza (Pride of Performance, Tamgha-e-Imtiaz), outlined the university’s heritage conservation strategy, plans to restore the historic haveli, and efforts to secure statutory heritage protection for the landmark.
University outlines heritage conservation vision
Addressing participants, Prof. Dr. Bushra Mirza said preserving Pakistan’s cultural and historical heritage is a shared responsibility requiring collaboration among academic institutions, government agencies, civil society, and the media.
She said the proposed Fatima Jinnah Gallery and Heritage Museum is intended to preserve the university’s history while creating a space for education, research, and cultural engagement for students, scholars, and the wider public.
The Vice Chancellor also presented the university’s adaptive reuse strategy for Mohan Singh Haveli, explaining that restoration plans aim to maintain the building’s architectural character while converting it into a museum that documents the legacy of Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah, the evolution of FJWU, and the cultural history of the region.
Statutory protection and long-term preservation
Prof. Dr. Bushra Mirza informed the gathering that FJWU is pursuing statutory heritage protection for Mohan Singh Haveli to ensure its long-term conservation in line with national heritage preservation principles.
She also shared the university’s broader conservation roadmap, legal framework, and future plans for the museum project, emphasizing that protecting the site would help preserve an important part of Rawalpindi’s historical identity.
Journalists discuss heritage challenges
The session included an extensive discussion on heritage conservation, museum development, public awareness, and the role of universities in safeguarding historical assets.
Journalists exchanged views with the Vice Chancellor on conservation challenges, documentation of Pakistan’s cultural identity, and ways the media can help promote heritage preservation initiatives.
Prof. Dr. Bushra Mirza called on media organizations to highlight the university’s conservation efforts, describing the museum project as a national initiative that would benefit future generations.
Media backs preservation initiative
Participating journalists appreciated FJWU’s commitment to conserving one of Rawalpindi’s historically significant buildings and welcomed the plan to establish the Fatima Jinnah Gallery and Heritage Museum.
The session concluded with a shared commitment to strengthening collaboration between academia and the media to promote heritage awareness and support the preservation of Pakistan’s historical and cultural landmarks.
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