RAWALPINDI: The historical building of Haveli Sujan Singh in Bhabra Bazaar will be preserved along with renovation of seven gurdwaras and temples around it at a cost of Rs240 million under a government plan aimed at promoting tourism in the garrison city.

The haveli and the gurdwaras were established during the Sikh and British periods.

On the direction of the Punjab government, Commissioner retired Capt Mohammad Mehmood has prepared a list of buildings some of which were constructed during the Sikh and British periods.

Talking to Dawn, the commissioner said Bhabra Bazaar will be made a pedestrian street from Murree Road to Haveli Sujan Singh.

“A café will be established on the rooftop of the haveli where people will have lunch and dinner. From the rooftop of the haveli, seven gurdwaras and temples in the area are visible which will be refurbished from the outside.”

He said the narrow streets and main road of Sarafa and Bhabra bazaars will also be improved and all electricity and telephone lines would be shifted underground to beautify the area.

Under a Rs240m project, seven gurdwaras and temples in vicinity of the 129-year-old building will also be renovated, says commissioner

He said a museum would be set up in Sujan Singh Haveli where the culture of the Sikh and British periods of Potohar region would be showcased.

On Friday, the commissioner visited Sujan Singh Haveli. The 130-year-old havelis located in the narrow streets and was constructed by Sikh political figure Sardar Sujan Singh.

The building was owned by a Sikh family who also had Prince Palace on The Mall which was later converted into the Fatima Jinnah Woman University (FJWU).The four-storey haveli constructed in 1890 is a fine specimen of brick masonry, facing the street with a front verandah and a central entrance.

The building was in the custody of FJWU which kept on considering starting a school of culture, heritage, architecture and designs for women but the plan never materialised.

The building has a majestic woodwork over its doors and windows. It has English tiles and Kashmiri wood carving in all its 45 massive rooms.

The commissioner said the haveli would be used for tourist attraction. “Rawalpindi will be made a model city for tourists and in this regard the government is working on a plan to remove traffic congestion on the roads.”

He said there was a need to improve historical sites in the city so people would come and see the old and glorious past of the area.

“We are working to present the culture of the Potohar region and in this regard the Parks and Horticulture Authority and other civic bodies will ensure the reflection of the local culture in its beautification drives,” he said.

Meanwhile, the commissioner visited 6th Road and found that four educational institutions had erected iron grills on the roadsides and footpaths in front of their buildings.

The commissioner directed the officials concerned to remove the grills from outside Siddeeq Public School, Lahore Grammar School, The Educator, Punjab Commerce College and Jinnah Institute.

He also asked the RMC to remove encroachments from other roads and streets, adding he would inspect the areas next week and if any negligence was found departmental action would be taken against the enforcement cell.

“All private schools and offices have been asked to remove temporary or permanent encroachments otherwise action would be taken against them,” he said.

Published in Dawn, September 12th, 2020