MULTAN, Aug 21: The historic wall around the old city is being cleared of encroachments here under a massive operation. Mumtazabad town nazim Mian Jamil Ahmad said on Monday that old revenue record has been sought to ascertain the status of the land on which encroachers have established shops along the wall commonly called ‘Alang’ concealing the historical structure.

Some portion of the wall has been cleared of the encroachments through removal of illegal structures and shops where the status of the land was established as ‘Nazool’ land.

“But still a lot has to be done and we are planned to restore the fortification wall into its original shape after removal of encroachments,” said Mian Jamil.

Some portion of the wall from Pak Gate to Khooni Burj has been cleared while encroachments at Haram Gate have also been removed.

However, encroachments from Bohar Gate to Haram Gate were to be removed and it would happen after ascertaining the status of the land, he added. The wall around the fort (old city) had no encroachments in 1935.

“Our first priority is removal of encroachments and widening of city’s busy crossings.”

A sum of Rs20 million has been allocated for removal of encroachments from Chowk Shah Abbas and its beautification. Chungi No 14 would also be cleared of encroachments and work on the two schemes would begin soon.

Mian Jamil also unveiled plans to restore five historical gates of Multan, beautification of Clock Tower Chowk and Qila Kohna Qasim Bagh. He said the city district government would soon get Rs50 million for conservation of monuments from the Punjab government. — APP