The Capital Development Authority (CDA) of Islamabad removed a recently installed golden hand sculpture located along Margalla Avenue in Islamabad on Monday. The artwork featured two large, golden hands holding two ball-like objects that resembled a world map.
The sculpture was installed by a private developer. However, it was quickly removed after it gained widespread attention on social media, sparking debates, memes, and a wave of speculation regarding its message.
Soon after its installation, the monument became the subject of intense derision online. Social media users assigned various meanings to the structure, with many interpreting it as a symbol of Pakistan’s rising global presence, while others questioned the idea behind the sculpture, and others called it ambitious but misplaced artistic expression.
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Amid the growing online buzz, CDA officials reportedly came into action, and initially, the sculpture was covered with a cloth in an apparent attempt to minimize public reaction. However, even that could not mitigate the public reaction, and the structure was dismantled and removed using heavy machinery and labour teams.
The sculpture is still subject to discussion online even after its removal from the venue. The sculpture was installed as part of a corporate social responsibility initiative by a real estate project.
However, the CDA says the design was not approved by the relevant CDA department. It remains unclear whether the decision to remove the sculpture was taken independently by the CBA or if it came in response to directions from higher authorities.
There is also ambiguity surrounding how the installation was set up without prior approval from the competent authority. A CDA official stated that efforts to dismantle the sculpture began with the help of a crane, but were interrupted by rain.
The process is expected to be completed today. In the meantime, the structure has been covered with cloth. Online, the sculpture has sparked a wave of criticism, with many calling on CDA to explain the purpose and meaning of the installation.