LAHORE: (Monday, October 21, 2024): Deputy Consul General of Turkiye Lahore Ali Arbash inaugurated a modern lab in the Punjab University Library to preserve the largest collection of hundreds of years old manuscripts in Pakistan. In this regard, a ceremony was organized in Punjab University Library here on Monday. On this occasion, Punjab University Pro-Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Khalid Mahmood, Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA)’s Country Head Muhsin Balci, Head of experts Ms Nil Baydar, Chairman PU Department of History Prof Dr Mahboob Hussain, Chief Librarian Dr Muhammad Haroon Usmani and others were present. The lab is being funded by TIKA. Speaking to the media, Deputy Consul General Turkiye Mr Ali Arbash said that PU has a huge collection of rare manuscripts, which will continue to be supported to ensure its preservation. He said that both the countries have deep religious and cultural ties. Muhsin Balci said that we had been working for a year for a modern lab to preserve manuscripts in PU. He said that staff training is also being arranged to secure the manuscripts. He said that such a large collection of manuscripts in the PU Library is commendable. He said that manuscripts can be preserved for another hundreds of years in the lab with modern equipment to be provided by TIKA. He said that he is grateful for the hospitality extended to him and his team in Pakistan. He said that TIKA is funding various projects in other institutes in Pakistan. Prof Dr Khalid Mahmood said that he is grateful to the Turkish Consulate and TIKA for their support for the modern lab in PU Library. He said that there are 24 thousand manuscripts in PU Library and it is a unique honor to have the largest collection of manuscripts in Pakistan. Dr Haroon Usmani said that the around 1,020 years old manuscript of Abi Sina titled “Al Qanoon Fi’ Tib” is also available in the library. He said that the 7-member delegation includes four experts from Turkiye who will provide training to PU staff and this program will help us preserve the manuscripts. He said that preserving the rare manuscripts is a great service to the knowledge in which TIKA is playing a fundamental role.