KARACHI - The construction of much-awaited Awan-e-Riffat project which was in full swing before Eidul Fitr and near completion had again slowed down, The Nation learnt on Monday. Informed sources said that the pace of the work was slow due to prevailing financial crisis in the City government. However, maximum constriction work has been completed and the project was in final stage. It may be noted that the construction of Aiwan-e-Riffat Faizy Rehymeen Art Gallery, a CDGK-run project, was started in January 2009 after a delay of about one decade. City Nazim Mustafa Kamal took personal interest on the completion of the project as soon as possible. When he visited last time at the site in February 2009, he gave three months time for the completion of the project. He also directed to establish a committee comprising of renowned members of artistes community to manage and maintain the affairs of Aiwan-e-Riffat project. In this regard film and TV artist, Samina Pirzada, and Faizan Pirzada twice visited the site and gave suggestions in the completion process of the project. The DCO Karachi Javed Hanif also visited the project site and strictly directed that an artistic and aesthetic view should be seen from outside the building of Aiwan-e-Riffat Faizy Rehymeen Art Gallery instead of typical government office look or financial institution. The sources said that keeping in view the directives of DCO Karachi, the look of the Aiwan-e-Riffat building was impressive and presented a very clear artistic look, however, it is not fully completed but as far as the construction work is concerned, maximum work has been done. He also directed that suggestions and proposals to be taken to the members of arts and culture committee, which is being established on the directives of City nazim, sources said. It may be noted that the project had been named after Faizy Rhymeen and Begum Atiya Faizy who had devoted their lives for the promotion of art in Pakistan. They arrived in Pakistan on the invitation of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and settled in Karachi after the Partition. The local government used to earmark funds for the completion of the project every year, but the allocated budget was always used on other projects. The five-storey building of Aiwan-e-Riffat was started in 1991 and till 1998, about 70 per cent work of the project was completed. About 50 paintings of late Faizy would be put on display at the gallery. Coins from various countries, medals, specimen of calligraphy, hand-written copies of the Quran, jewellery and royal attires will also be put on display at the proposed gallery after its completion.