MULTAN, Sept 16: The Punjab Archaeology department will prepare cost estimate for conservation of the historical fortification wall (Faseel) around Shujabad town following the Supreme Court orders in this regard.

Punjab Archaeology Director General Oriya Maqbool Jan has directed the officials concerned to prepare a detailed cost estimate for conservation of the historical wall around the town.

A three-member Supreme Court bench headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, comprising Justice Tasaduq Hussain Jilani and Justice Karamat Nazir Bhandari, had ordered on July 19 archaeology department secretary to take steps for protection and conservation of the wall. Town administration was also directed to remove encroachments along the wall.

The court had taken up the matter after publication of a report in the print media that the wall was being demolished for construction of shops etc.

“The fortification wall of Shujabad is a national heritage, therefore, instead of destroying (it), the same should be protected”, the SC observed in its judgment.

Meanwhile, Archaeology department officials said, the cost estimate for conservation of the wall would be prepared within a week and processed soon to execute the scheme.—APP