Summit minar, standing tall in front of the Punjab Assembly and WAPDA House on Mall Road, Lahore, has a prestigious political and religious history. It is the memorial of the Second Islamic Summit Conference, held in Lahore from February 22 to February 24, 1974.

While this simple monument is not as old as other historical buildings of the great bygone empires found in and around Lahore, it is a symbol of an important era in the chequered history of the country. Under the supervision of Pakistan Public Works Department, this 155-feet high minar was constructed by National Construction Company Pakistan Ltd., and was designed by a Turkish architect, Vadet Dalokey, who is also the designer of Faisal Mosque in Islamabad.

The giant minaret looks splendid, especially in evening. The marble slabs at the base of Summit minar bear an inscription “Allah-o-Akbar” with gold leaves. On each side of it, majestic brick coloured tiles are erected for which 10,000 tonnes of stone was specially brought from Soan Valley.

Underneath the minaret there is a small gallery which houses antiques like pieces of art, paintings and gifts from the countries that attended the conference. A few years ago, this gallery was a popular visiting place for the general public, however, as it faces the Provincial Assembly building, these days it is not opened for security reasons.

The whole project of Summit minar was completed in about 20 months, costing around 15 millions rupees. Outside, there is a pavilion containing a glass case housing a copy of the Holy Quran inscribed in gold leaves. The pavilion was made much before the minaret and contained a statue of Queen Victoria which was later shifted to a museum.

The current condition of this grand monument is extremely deplorable. Though the garden around the minaret is blooming with spring, however, the blackened, cracked and detaching tiles from the minaret are witnessing the negligence of the concerned authorities and desperately need renovation.