FAISALABAD, Dec 29 There is something magical about the three-digit figure called a century, but not so when it comes to many historical places in the city district. Clock Tower, Qaiseri Gate and Gumti, all over 100-year old, fall in the category of monuments having their names etched in history but have yet to be included in the Punjab Archeology Department's historical buildings catalogue.

Gumti and Qaiseri Gate were raised by the British government in the 19th century and Clock Tower was set up in the early 20th century in the memory of Queen Elizabeth. All these monuments, under the administrative control of Lyallpur Town, deserve to be declared special premises under the Punjab Special Premises (Preservation) Ordinance of 1985.

The ordinance was promulgated by the governor on Feb 25, 1985 to preserve certain premises of historical, cultural and architectural value in the province and to control and regulate alterations and demolition and re-erection thereof.

The tale of these monuments began when the deputy commissioner of Jhang in 1884-85 while going to Lahore encamped at Pakka Mari for a day or so. He found it the most suitable place for the establishment of a civil station and Mandi Town for the Chenab Canal Colony. He submitted his proposal to the then Lt-Governor of the Punjab, James B Lyall, who approved the scheme.

Sir Ganga Ram, a reputed civil engineer was asked to prepare a plan of the proposed town over 100 acres. Mr Ram planned the new town forming a big square which was sub-divided into four squares with a site for a clock tower in the centre. The town was named Lyallpur after Mr Lyall. (The foregoing information has been taken from Zaigham Ali Pasha's book titled “From Sand Dunes to Smiling Fields”.

The Clock Tower, commonly known as Ghanta Ghar, is known to the people in various parts of the country. Even foreign tourists rate it as a landmark and aspire for having a glimpse of this historical treasure.

Recorded information says Sir Charles Rivaz, the lieutenant governor of Punjab laid the foundation stone of Clock Tower on Nov 14, 1903 and it was opened by Financial Commissioner (Punjab) Lewis Tupper on Dec 13, 1905.

The structure is in the form of a big square that had been sub-divided into four squares. Eight markets - Kutchery, Rail, Karkhana, Montgomery, Jhang, Bhawana, Aminpur and Chiniot bazaars -- radiate from the monument. They all are interlinked with a circular road.

Kiran Khurshid, a deputy district officer (revenue), wrote in “A Gazetteer by the Native” on page 9 that “the Clock Tower was got built through a collection of Rs 18 per sq from each tenant of the government in the colony.”

Information gleaned by Dawn said the district government, while taking advantage of a lack of special premises status, had altered the front pillar of Clock Tower by fixing a plaque in connection with centennial ceremonies of the district.

Alteration had been made by the former district coordination officer, Athar Hussain Sial in April 2005 when he arranged centenary functions of inception of the district from April 9 to 15, 2005. However, citizens have acknowledged the role of Mr Sial who had arranged different functions to celebrate the golden jubilee of the district.

The district public safety commission also damaged the white marble trellis of Clock Tower to insert a cable of surveillance cameras. They did not seek permission from anybody to alter this historical place.

Section 5 of the ordinance prohibits destruction of special premises. It reads “No alteration in or renovation, demolition or re-erection of such portion of a Special Premises as is visible from outside, or any part of such portion, shall be affected without the prior permission in writing of the government or a committee.”

The construction of Qaiseri Gate and Gumti outside Rail Bazaar was completed in 1897. The condition of Gumti is very pathetic and its age-old fountain is in a shambles. Although the district has hundreds of employees to see to solid waste and cleanliness issue, there is a lack of will to clean this structure.

The fountain compound remains littered with garbage and solid waste. The police department also has its contribution to give the place an ugly look by installing a security camera for surveillance of Circular Road.

The pillars of Gumti prove a source of inspiration for the people who paste posters of their events. Posters of all kinds dot the pillars. Gumti has also become a haven for addicts.

Qaiseri Gate, situated in front of the Faisalabad Gumti, has been encroached upon. The district administration has placed solid waste containers at the entrance of Qaiseri Gate.

District Coordination Officer Saeed Wahla told Dawn that efforts were being made to declare these monuments special premises. The district would also include few other historical establishments in the category, he said. Punjab Archaeology Department Director Afzal Khan said they had contacted the district administration to declare Qaiseri Gate and Gumti historical and antique buildings for their preservation.