BUILT in 2011 at a huge cost, Pushkalavati Museum and Ghani Khan Art Gallery in district Charsadda is yet to be handed over to the Directorate of Archaeology and Museums, Peshawar.

Earlier, Ghani Derai Complex comprising a public library and hall was built in 2002 at a cost of Rs7.5 milliaon over a hollow sandy mound, however, it collapsed due to loose-filling and excessive seepage.

The Ghani Derai Complex was handed over by the Directorate of Archives and Libraries to the Directorate of Archaeology and Museums in 2006 in the shape of a liability.

A huge amount was allocated for repair and renovation of Ghani Derai Complex but soon it crumbled down. An inquiry was initiated against the contractor but it was also shelved. The public library had to be shifted to Pushkalavati Museum’s basement two years ago.

“The Ghani Derai Complex is still in ruins and the Directorate of Archaeology and Museums has taken no step in this regard,” said Muflis Durrani, the vice president of Ghani Khan Adabi Au Saqafati Jirga.

About 60 members of the Jirga, he said, held various literary and cultural events on different occasions every year at the site. He said that the officials concerned should take interest in rebuilding and restoration of both the sites.

According to local people, two watchmen, one gardener, one peon and one sweeper, appointed on permanent basis for Pushkalavati Museum and Ghani Khan Art Gallery, are getting salaries at their homes because the structure has not been commissioned by the Directorate of Archaeology and Museums.

The newly built museum has not been commissioned by the Directorate of Archaeology and Museums from the communication and works department owing to its reservations regarding the faulty construction and seepage problem.

Local people say that seepage is damaging the walls of the complex and its three display halls comprising 96 shelves are also lying empty as no artifacts are exhibited in them.

The Ghani Derai Complex, which has no permanent staff, is being run through a grant in-aid of Rs5 million approved by the provincial finance department.

Currently, an 11 grade assistant librarian is running the public library with a total membership of 300 while the grant in-aid has been increased to Rs8 million.

A senior official at the Directorate of Archaeology and Museums on the condition of anonymity told this scribe that the fate of Pushkalavati Museum and Ghani Art Gallery seemed to be no different from that of Ghani Derai Complex for want of interest of the authorities concerned.

“We have written a detailed letter to the communication and works department to remove our reservations and hand over the structure so that it could be made operational otherwise it would be crumbled down. Also, we have asked them to restore Ghani Derai Complex but unfortunately nobody is taking interest,” he said.

The official said that the inquiry was also dumped because the contractor belonged to the then ruling political party.

Director Archaeology and Museums Prof Mohammad Nasim Khan, when contacted, said that being an archeologist he would not recommend reconstruction of Ghani Derai public library and hall on hollow deposit, however, it could be shifted to another site.

“The permanent employees have been deputed to perform duty at other sites scattered in the district till the Pushkalavati Museum comes under our control,” he said.

He said that the directorate would arrange a visit to the site in near future.

“Filling empty shelves with display items is no issues. We have lots of items being kept in our stores of directorate. We have also sufficient funds for purchasing more display items for Pushkalavati Museum from amateur local collectors. Once it gets properly commissioned and our reservations regarding seepage are removed, the directorate can make it operational,” Prof Khan said.

The post of assistant curator for the said museum was still lying vacant while two watchmen, one peon, one gardener, and one sweeper were appointed on permanent basis, he said. However, the services of two watchmen, a peon, one sweeper and one gardener already serving since 2002 at Ghani Derai Complex were yet to be regularised, he added.

The director said that a post for a 16 grade assistant librarian for the public library would be advertised soon.

An office-bearer of Ghani Khan Adabi Au Saqafati Jirga said that they had formed a committee comprising senior writers, intellectuals and poets to meet Chief Minister Pervez Khattak to resolve the issues regarding both the structures.

“We want Ghani Derai to be rebuilt on firm foundations so that literary and cultural activities can be restarted here,” he said. He said that senior members of the Jirga should also be included in the staff to ensure its faultless reconstruction and smooth running of its affairs.

Different literary and cultural organisations plan to commemorate the 18th death anniversary of noted Pashto poet, painter and sculptor Ghani Khan today (Saturday).