KOHAT: The centuries old half-buried relics of a fort and a cave of King Aad-i-Samut with a treasure trove of immense archeological importance remain unexplored and unpreserved due to apathy of the government.

The saying goes that the compound of the fort was buried due to earthquake, killing all the people there, while only one cave remained safe.

The site regarded as the first foundation of Kohat is being plundered by thieves for decades.

The signs of the dynasty of King of Kohat, Aad, are still visible in the shape of a cave and a well inside it with hanging dried limestone straws which attract the people.

One needs energy and strength to climb up the hill with the height of 2,500 feet above the sea level.

It is situated three kilometers in the west of Kohat in Mohammadzai area. There is no road or steps to it and the visitors have to take a break 10 to 12 times to stabilise breath before reaching the site.

A local jeweller Nasir Khan showed a finger ring with a small Buddha statue on it brought from the ‘Aad-i-Samut’ and sold to him. Those who make up to the site still find coins and metal things.

Talking to this scribe, historian Zulfiqar Shah, who had written a book on the history of Kohat and had been to the place twice, said that it was a haunted place as he felt burden on his shoulders and mind while entering the cave.

He said that the well inside it had been filled by the local people with stones, as they had no respect for the heritage.

He claimed to have found a gun nozzle-like metal from the place during his recent visit.

He said that if the government supported excavation at the site it could attract people from other countries.

PROTESTERS BLOCK ROAD: A large number of protesters blocked the Kohat-Hangu road at Raissan area for over three hours against the illegal stone crushing plants which have been causing pollution and spreading various diseases in the area.

The protesters, led by Malik Sajid, demanded immediate closure of the four crushing plants operating in the area, saying this had also ruined the beauty of nearby mountains.

They said that due to heavy dust from the plants the people were becoming sick and cough, flu and chest infections were common.

The district administration on the demand of the protesters closed the stone crushing plants till Monday.

Published in Dawn, January 5th, 2018