BAHAWALPUR: The divisional administration on Saturday night launched a documentary film on now defunct Bahawalpur state and its evolution into the present-day division in an attempt to highlight rich history and culture of the region.

The documentary was screened at the historic and renovated Bahawal Club. The screening was also attended by Commissioner Saqib Zafar and late Nawab Sadiq Muhammad Khan Abbasi V’s grandson Sahibzada Qamaruz Zaman Abbasi.

The script of the film has been written by Mr Saqib Zafar himself.

The documentary begins with background of creation of the former state, featuring pedigree table of late Nawabs who had been ruling it, the buildings got constructed by them and now restored, including the forts in the desert area. It particularly focuses on the oldest of these structures -- the Derawar Fort (and the mosque attached to it)-- also showing the ongoing renovation work there.

It also refers to the establishment of the Bahawal Victoria Hospital (BVH) in July, 1906 and the Government Sadiq Dane (SD) High School opened in 1903.

The documentary sheds light on the former state’s Sutlej valley irrigation network of 1939, construction of Panjnad (around 1932), Sulemanki and Islam headworks on its borders, Cholistan desert with reference to its centuries-old civilization that once thrived along the banks of Hakra river that has disappeared, its wildlife including deer and black buck and livestock, especially the camels.

Besides the history, the documentary also shows development of the present-day Bahawalpur city and division. It informs the viewers about the city’s seven historic gates which had vanished with the passage of time.

It also features the annual Cholistan Jeep Rally participated by more than 100 drivers from across the country, portraying a soft image of Pakistan to help attract tourism to the area.

Talking to Dawn, the commissioner said that by documenting the past and present of Bahawalpur, an attempt had been made to preserve the rich history of the area.

He said the the film was made by a Karachi-based production company and would go a long way in helping the scholars and researchers interested in the area.

Mr Qamaruz Zaman Abbasi and others appreciated the effort of the administration to preserve the history of the former state.

Published in Dawn, May 28th, 2018