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FAISALABAD, Oct 16 (APP):A historic heritage site, Gurdwara Pakistan Model High School, located in Faisalabad’s Kutchehry Bazaar, is under serious threat due to illegal constructions and encroachments.
The teachers, citizens and social organisations have urged the Divisional Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner of Faisalabad to take immediate notice and remove these encroachments to preserve this site.
Mian Bashir Ejaz, in-charge of the Picture Gallery at Allama Iqbal Library’s Heritage Section, stated that the ancient building of Pakistan Model School originally a historic Sikh Gurdwara has suffered severe deterioration as a result of commercial activities and unauthorized constructions. Its doors, windows and walls are now in a dilapidated state.
He said that this historic Gurdwara which once symbolized Faisalabad’s cultural identity was promised to be partially converted into a heritage museum by the Punjab government. However it is regrettable that the Gurdwara’s surroundings including its three main entrances are now encircled by illegal shops, food stalls and cloth-packing workshops, he added.
He said that these unlawful activities have not only ruined the architectural beauty of the site but also caused constant noise and overcrowding, disrupting the education of students at the school. The situation has worsened so up to the extent that pedestrians find it difficult to pass through the area, he added.
The social organizations working for heritage preservation have called upon the local administration to remove the encroachments, clean up the surroundings and immediately begin restoration and renovation work to protect this valuable heritage for future generations, he added.
Meanwhile, the citizens said that some years ago former Assistant Commissioner Ayub Bukhari had taken a stern action and successfully reclaimed the occupied area. If no immediate action was taken on urgent basis, this historical site may lose its identity forever, they added.
They also appealed the Municipal Corporation and Anti-Encroachment PERA Force to take firm and lasting measures to eliminate these illegal structures once forever.