BAHAWALPUR: The Walled City of Lahore Authority (WCLA) has embarked on an ambitious conservation and restoration plan for 10 tombs/shrines of Uch Sharif at a cost of over Rs653 million.

Dawn learnt that initially the restoration work has been initiated with the released funds of Rs120m out of total allocation and it may take about a year to complete the whole plan.

The 10 historical shrines and mosques to be restored and preserved include tombs of Hazrat Jajaluddin Surkhposh Bukhari, Ustad Noriya, Hazrat Bahaul Halim, Bibi Javindi, Hazrat Badruddin Naqvi, Makhdum Jahaniyan Jahangasht, Hazrat Fazaluddin Ladla, Rajan Qattal and Mehboob Subhani besides Masjid-e-Hajjat.

The tombs of Bibi Javindi and some others are presently in a dilapidated condition as during previous years as they were affected by floods and needed immediate restoration and preservation.

Bahawalpur Commissioner Musarrat Jabeen, who inspected the work during her Uch Sharif visit the other day, was told in a briefing that the conservation and upgrade project of 10 shrines their attached mosques was aimed at enhancing the historical and cultural significance of Uch Sharif. The project is aimed at promoting religious tourism with a view to create pleasant environment for tourists, visitors and locals and it would include improving infrastructure with a view to upgrade the pilgrim trail to the important shrines.

The commissioner told Dawn that in order to patronise the local craftsmanship, the government had decided to set up a craft bazaar at Uch Sharif.

“This would also help to keep the local dying crafts to flourish in the coming years for the coming generations.”

According to Ms Jabeen, beautiful gates for entrance to Uch Sharif city and exit from it would be constructed while the mosques attached with the shrines would also be improved with the addition of the construction of washrooms, ablution areas, drinking water facilities, resting areas and parking for the devotees.

Besides, flooring work of the streets along with the improvement of underground sewerage system would also be carried out, she said and added that the executing department had been directed to strictly maintain the standard and quality of the work.

The commissioner said that with the completion of preservation work of the historic shrines, the tourism potential and scope would increase and foreign tourists would have frequent visits to the Uch Sharif.

It may be mentioned that Uch Sharif, one of the oldest towns in Punjab, Pakistan, located in Bahawalpur Division, is well-known for its stunning tombs and historical structures that are decorated with blue mosaic and other adornments.

The town flourished under Alexander’s rule and since then, numerous dynasties, including the Delhi Sultanate, the Mughals and the Ghaznavids, have left their marks on its landscape.

Published in Dawn, April 24th, 2025