September 26, 2007	Wednesday	Ramazan 13, 1428

MULTAN, Sept 25: An over Rs31 million feasibility plan (PC-1) has been prepared for preservation of historical fortification wall around old Shujabad city, officials say.

The plan, which has been sent to Punjab government for final approval, envisages three phases for the completion of the project.

According to the plan, Rs4 million will be spent on the project during current year, Rs15 million in the next fiscal and Rs12.36 million during 2009-10.

Restoration of the brickwork and construction of parts of the wall would be the main features of the project, the officials said.

They said removal of encroachments which were blocking the wall’s view on its eastern, southern and western sides was necessary for execution of restoration work.

They hoped the work on the project would begin within a month of PC-1’s approval.

There used to be a deep ditch around the wall to keep enemies away and the 18-40 feet area has been mentioned as Nazool land in the revenue record.

The encroachments along 1,270-feet long eastern side of the wall include two mosques, two primary schools, one girls’ high school, sixteen TMA shops and some other shops and houses.

Similarly, a house and five TMA latrines are located adjacent to the western side of the wall near Chotaqa gate. On the southern side, near Rasheed Shah gate, people have built houses by occupying the space between two bastions of the wall.

Some people have also built houses at the top of the wall which has a width of around 8-14 feet.

Punjab archaeology department officials said, they had sent a letter to Shujabad TMA askig it to remove encroachments from the wall.

Supreme Court had ordered the district government and tehsil administration to restore and rehabilitate the wall after removal of encroachments.

—APP