PESHAWAR: The Directorate of Archaeology and Museums has a big plan to conserve old monuments in the historic walled city of Peshawar.

However, experts feel a powerful authority is needed to implement the plan and check encroachments eating away relics of the past.

The directorate has allocated Rs200 million in the Annual Development Programme to conserve old facilities, houses and mohallahs in the walled city of Peshawar.

However, such structures, which show how the people of ancient times used to live here, are gradually vanishing due to growing population and encroachments.

Archaeology directorate plans to conserve walled city

The old wall, which was built to protect the city, is also threatened by encroachments and dilapidation.

Experts say a walled city authority is needed to help preserve old features of the walled city.

“First there is need for mapping and documentation of old monuments inside the walled city and then there is need for the formation of a body to implement the conservation project,” said Director of the Directorate of Archaeology and Museums Dr Abdul Samad.

Peshawar is considered to be the oldest living city in South Asia. However, it is fast losing old buildings and remains of an old walled city due to encroachments.

“Commercial plazas are being constructed everywhere. Old features of Peshawar City are vanishing,” said Mohamad Khan, a resident of Peshawar city.

“Under the Conservation of Peshawar Walled City Project, we want to fight away encroachers and restore the old city features,” said Dr Samad.

He said the directorate planned to declare a big part of the walled city pedestrian area, so visitors could come and see the old part of the city.

A major feature of the old Peshawar city, the wall is intact at some places, while most of the 16 gates have lost original shape.

Local people said they wanted the government to conserve the wall for next generations as encroachers were a major threat to old buildings.

“Once the government declares a building antiquity, a powerful walled city authority is very much needed to its protection,” said Dr Abdul Samad.

He said such an authority to be set up under the law was the only answer to encroachments in the walled city and save old buildings from destruction.

“After such an authority secures the possession of a historic building, work could be done by professionals to restore and preserve it,” he said.

According to historians, Sikhs captured Peshawar in 1818 and ruled it until 1849.

The old city wall was built during the reign of Sikh Governor General Avitabile, who was basically an Italian mercenary and remained in office from 1838 to 1842.

It was made of mud, which was later replaced with bricks by Britishers after they took over the city in 1849.

The original wall ran around the old city and had 16 gates.

Two of the gates - Sir Asia Gate and Thund Khui Gate (Sard Chah Gate) - exist in original form, while others were rebuilt by the last government.

Published in Dawn, July 4th, 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play