MULTAN, Jan 7: The district government is dumping garbage on the premises of Multan Fort, disfiguring the historical place and causing environmental hazards.

Passers-by, motorists and visitors to the fort and tomb of Shah Rukn-i-Alam have to put up with stench emanating from the waste.

A sum of Rs50 million had been set aside for the renovation of the Multan Fort, extension and beautification of Clock Tower Chowk and building about four years ago, but Rs3.4 million could be spent on the extension of the Clock Tower Chowk so far.

Muhammad Rafi, a visitor to the tomb of Shah Rukn-i-Alam, said: “It is very displeasing that waste and garbage are being dumped near the wall of the tomb. The area being used as a dumping ground not only has historical importance but is also a holy place.”

He demanded immediate removal of the filth depot near the shrine.

Multan Commissioner Syed Muhammad Ali Gardezi expressed his ignorance about the dumping of garbage on the premises of the fort.

However, acting district officer Fahim Lodhi said the place had been used as a filth depot for many years. “This is one of the 36 full-size filth depots of the city while there are 50 small ones,” Lodhi said.

He said all filth depots, including Multan Fort’s, would be removed from the city under the prime minister’s package.