BAHAWALPUR: The archaeology department has completed a survey of historical places, including forts in Cholistan along the border with India falling within jurisdictions of three districts of Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar and Rahim Yar Khan.

The survey has been conducted to prepare a comprehensive plan for restoration of the crumbling forts and conservation of the decaying historical buildings in Cholistan desert, Dawn learnt.

The survey has been undertaken on the initiative/directive of the Pakistan Army officials.

According to sources, the army officers, who had already taken measures to preserve Noor Mahal and Gulzar Mahal in Bahawalpur and other historical places in the region, were now moving for restoration of crumbled structures of the forts whose remains were still visible at the sites.

The archeology department’s Sub-Divisional Officer Sajjad Ahmed told Dawn that a team, led by Deputy Director Muhammad Hassan, had undertaken the tour to the Cholistan desert for survey of crumbling buildings of the former forts. He said the team visited 13 forts, namely Jam Garh, Mauj Garh, Din Garh, Mir Garh, Phulra/Fort Abbas, Khan Garh, Rukanpur, Bijnot, Nawan Kot, Marrot, Bara Sardar Garh and Derawar Fort.

Former Divisional Commissioner Saqib Zafar during his posting here had directed the Bahawalpur Museum officials to prepare a list of the historical places and heritage sites worthy of preservation to promote tourism in the area in winters. But after his transfer, the process of registration of such monuments was stalled and more information could not be collected.

Published in Dawn, October 17th, 2020

Opinion

Editorial

Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...
New terror wave
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

New terror wave

The time has come for decisive government action against militancy.
Development costs
27 Mar, 2024

Development costs

A HEFTY escalation of 30pc in the cost of ongoing federal development schemes is one of the many decisions where the...
Aitchison controversy
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

Aitchison controversy

It is hoped that higher authorities realise that politics and nepotism have no place in schools.