ISLAMABAD, Aug 24 (APP):Federal Minister for National Heritage and Culture Aurangzeb Khan Khichi Monday said the government is committed to protect Pakistan’s historical and cultural heritage and promote the historic Gakhar-era sites in the Potohar region as destinations for domestic and international tourists, researchers and scholars. Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of several historic heritage sites along the Swan River, he said the inclusion of important Gakhar heritage sites on …
Gakhar heritage sites to be promoted as international tourist destinations: Khichi
ISLAMABAD, Aug 24 (APP):Federal Minister for National Heritage and Culture Aurangzeb Khan Khichi Monday said the government is committed to protect Pakistan’s historical and cultural heritage and promote the historic Gakhar-era sites in the Potohar region as destinations for domestic and international tourists, researchers and scholars.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of several historic heritage sites along the Swan River, he said the inclusion of important Gakhar heritage sites on UNESCO’s World Heritage Tentative List was a major first step towards highlighting the history, cultural heritage and contributions of the Gakhar people at the international level.
The minister inaugurated and opened to tourists several historic sites, including the approximately 450-year-old Mai Qamro Mosque, 350-year-old Tomb of Sultan Muqarrab Khan and nearly 1,000-year-old Pharwala Tomb.
He said the sites had been placed on UNESCO’s World Heritage Tentative List, marking an important step towards their international recognition, preservation and promotion.
Aurangzeb Khan Khichi said he was surprised and delighted to learn that such a rich historical and cultural heritage existed in Islamabad and its surrounding areas, noting that there was a common perception that the history and development of Islamabad began only with the establishment of the federal capital in the 1960s.
He said the Gakhars of Potohar had a deep connection with the region’s history, culture and identity. After being briefed by the Department of Archaeology and Museums (DOAM) about historic sites in Bagh Jogian and surrounding areas, including Mai Qamro Mosque, the Tomb of Sultan Muqarrab Khan, Pharwala Fort and Rawat Fort, he had directed the department to complete repair and conservation work at the earliest.
According to the Ministry, DOAM had made concerted efforts to secure the inclusion of the historic sites on UNESCO’s Tentative List.
A PC-I costing around Rs54 million was approved and included in the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP), while work on the project had been underway since its commencement in 2022.
The minister said CCTV cameras had been installed, security guards hired and gardeners deployed to ensure the protection and upkeep of the sites. Conservation, repair, preservation, landscaping and other development works had also been undertaken.
He said conservation and beautification work had been carried out at Mai Qamro Mosque and the Tomb of Sultan Muqarrab Khan, which had been in a highly deteriorated condition when the work commenced. Access to the site was inadequate and the area was largely covered with bushes.
The department, he said, had carried out proper demarcation and recovered around 48 kanals of land that had been occupied by local individuals. The recovered land was fenced, landscaped and developed into a garden, with seating and other basic facilities provided for visitors.
He said one of the historic tombs associated with Mai Qamro had been close to collapse. Through special conservation efforts, DOAM had preserved and restored the tomb while retaining its boundary wall in its original form.
Aurangzeb Khan Khichi said several historic graves associated with the Gakhar tribes had also been restored within the available budget.
However, further resources and measures were required for continued conservation and beautification, including preservation of historic graves attributed to the Bukhari family and other archaeological remains.
The minister identified accessibility as one of the major challenges facing the heritage sites. He said a roughly two-kilometre route was available for local residents and tourists but was in poor condition.
With the sites now included on UNESCO’s Tentative List, he said the road would be upgraded into a proper carpeted road by the authorities concerned on the Ministry’s request.
The minister said improved road access would enable domestic and international tourists to conveniently visit the historic sites and contribute significantly to the promotion of cultural tourism in the Potohar region.
He also informed that a PC-II for Pharwala Fort had been prepared and would be processed for approval after allocation of funds.
Aurangzeb Khan Khichi reiterated that the government would continue efforts to preserve the country’s historic heritage, fulfil the remaining UNESCO requirements and promote the Potohar region as an important destination for history, archaeology and cultural tourism.
