PESHAWAR: The Directorate of Archaeology and Museums Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has devised a plan for preservation and conservation of Paolo Avitabile Governor Complex at Gor Khatri Archaeological Complex, Peshawar. 

The directorate of archaeology was also working to preserve and protect other historic buildings and sites across the province and a plan was already devised in that regard, said a press release issued here on Wednesday.

It said that Adviser to Chief Minister Amjad Khan Afridi visited Gor Khatri along with a team of experts from Lahore for commissioning of the conservation and preservation plan. Director Archaeology and Museums Dr Abdul Samad was also present on the occasion.

The Gor Khatri Complex, a fortified square compound, spread over an area of 25,600 square meters, is located on the highest point of Peshawar, where a Mughal-era serai, a historic Gorakshanath temple, Governor Avitabile’s house in Sikh period, a network of cells in the southern and western side of the structure and a fire brigade building dating back to 1917 makes this place a unique archaeological site. 

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Afridi said that a plan was devised to conserve and preserve the Paolo Avitabile Governor Complex. For the purpose, a team of specialists of a conservation firm also visited the site, he added. 

Highlighting the historic importance of Gor Khatri, he said that government was working on different projects to revive and revitalise the glory of Peshawar by conserving, preserving and reviving its historic buildings, sites, bazaars, monuments and walls. 

The archaeology director said that conservation and preservation work on historic Gor Khatri continued in full swing. Conservation of upper portion of the wall, eastern side of Gor Khatri was completed, he said. He added that a state of art archaeological gallery would be established at Gor Khatri. 

The official said that the directorate was also working on a plan to arrange exhibitions and awareness sessions at historical Sethi House, situated near the Ghanta Ghar, Bazaar Kalan and Gor Khatri in Peshawar.

Mohallah Sethian or Sethi Street stands as a testament to days gone by when stories of distant lands were narrated over cups of green tea and caravans of traders stopped in the city, while travelling from the Central Asian steppes to the Indian plains.

Published in Dawn, November 13th , 2014