ABBOTTABD: Commissioner Hazara division has formed a seven-member committee to probe the Cantonment Board Abbottabad (CBA)’s demolition of a historical building dating back to 1880s and used by Major James Abbott.

The building which had served as the office of Abbottabad’s founder and Hazara division’s first deputy commissioner Major James Abbott was demolished by the CBA on June 22, prompting the KP directorate of archaeology and museums to seek registration of an FIR against the cantonment’s chief executive officer under section 44 and 54 of the KP Antiquities Act, 2016.

The commissioner on Sunday notified a seven-member committee to conduct probe into the matter concerning the demolition of old Major Abbott’s Office.

Deputy commissioner, Abbottabad, will head the committee while district police officer, military estate officer, CBA chief executive and regional manager archaeology will be among its members.

Abbottabad DC to head the committee

The committee’s TORs read that it would ascertain the legal position of the building under the KP Antiquities Act, 2016, and whether or not this legislation was applicable to federal government entities working in the province and cantonment boards.

Besides, the committee would also dig out old records of the property to ascertain its date of construction and historic value.

It would also ascertain the reasons for demolition and not seeking prior approval from the department concerned as required under the law, the notification said.

The committee would also ascertain the actions taken by directorate of archaeology and reasons for taking up the matter after lapse of three years. It would submit its report within three days.

Meanwhile, the CBA in a statement issued here claimed that the media reports giving the impression that the board had demolished a historical building were totally wrong.

It said there were two buildings, including Old Cantonment office building and Abbottabad Club.

The statement said that in the case of Old Cantonment office building the main structure was built around1933, while new blocks were added to it in 1956 and 2012 as per board’s records. It said the structure was damaged and declared dangerous after the 2005 and subsequent earthquakes by the structural engineer and during the rainy season in 2019 the old building almost got destroyed.

“In 2019, the construction of new building was completed and the office was shifted to the new location. Keeping in view the dilapidated condition of the old building it was demolished,” it said.

The CBA also pointed out that the said building was established on land vested in the board and only federal laws were applicable within its jurisdiction.

Published in Dawn, June 28th, 2021