ISLAMABAD, Nov 14 In an endeavour to save our global heritage, the local administration in Jhelum has cracked down on encroachments that had sprung up along the walls of the Rohtas Fort, and removed more than two dozen illegally constructed buildings, mostly houses.

As many as 30 houses were razed that had been constructed illegally close to the 450 years old Rohtas Fort.

District Coordination Officer (DCO), Jhelum, Hameedullah Khan said the Department of Archaeology, the custodian of the site, had recently listed structures that had sprung up too close to the walls of the fort and threatened its integrity and historical value.

“Some 30-odd properties were brought down that had come up illegally in the past year or two,” the DCO said.

“Little resistance was offered to the enforcement body that moved in backed by the police. Resistance was futile because they knew that the structures were illegal,” the DCO added.

In the days of neglect, besides government schools and dispensaries, more than 250 houses were built up within the walls of the Rohtas Fort, and the DCO feared that their removal would be a much harder task to achieve.

“There isn't a solution to this bigger problem yet. However, we have proposed to resettle the entire village of more than 250 structures to another suitable area where we can make available land,” he said.

According to the Ministry of Culture that had been on the front line along with Department of

Archaeology to save the ancient fabric from destruction, political and military influences had resulted in failure to reach solutions to problem of encroachment in Rohtas Fort.

The federal government lacked enforcement that only lies with provincial governments, an official said.

“Encroachments on most national heritage sites whether Jehangir's Tomb or Makli are common and rampant crime in Pakistan.

The fate of thoroughfare that runs through this World Heritage Site is yet to to be decided. “A plan and estimates have been forwarded to the offices concerned for further consideration,” said Mr Khan.

Besides the uncontrolled encroachments that today pressed against its walls, the controversial thoroughfare bisecting the Rohtas Fort to connect it with Chakwal threatened beyond repair one of the most imposing historical monuments and symbols of strength and determination of its builder Sher Shah Suri.