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PESHAWAR, Jan 27 (APP):Driven by deep love for his hometown, a young Peshawar resident Shah Jee Peshori has launched a voluntary initiative to revive the lost grandeur of the ancient city by transforming its streets into cleaner, brighter and more colourful spaces.
Known as `Shah Jee Peshawari’ for his deep attachment and love to the city and its rich heritage, Syed Mohsin Ali Shah has launched a campaign “Mera Shehar, Meri Zimadari” (My city, my responsibility), an initiative of cleaning and restoring centuries old structure and narrow alleys of Peshawar city.
“My city, my responsibility”, is an initiative to beautify every street and to show the world that Peshawar is a city of colours where every street tells a story and is worth visiting,” explains Syed Mohsin Ali Shah.
Talking with APP, Shah Jee Peshawari said the initiative is for denizens of Peshawar to get together for protecting, preserving and uplift of the soul of our historic city.
The cost of Peshawar beautification initiative is being met voluntarily by Shah Jee, with support from two of his friends.
It merits to insert here that Syed Mohsin Ali Shah is part of a duo of artists who performed the first-ever rap song in Hindko, the local language, celebrating rich cultural heritage, lifestyle, notable personalities and cuisine of the ancient and oldest walled city, Peshawar.
The Hindko rap melody, ‘Peshor Di Gali’ (Street of Peshawar), released in 2021, received widespread acclaim and garnered 450,000 to 500,000 likes on social media within just three weeks.
A new Hindko song celebrating the historic Qissa Khwani Bazaar of Peshawar is nearing completion and will be released soon, he disclosed.
Shah Jee is also organizing tours under the banner ‘Unseen Peshawar’, attracting both local and international tourists.
“Peshawar has given us identity, history and pride. Now it’s our turn to give back by making our city colourful, clean and attractive,” remarked Mohsin Ali Shah.
Our mission is to make Peshawar cleaner, more colourful, more welcoming and for this purpose have started restoration of one street in the city.
Initially we have started work over renovation of Chaka Gali in interior city from Jogi Wara to covering boundary wall of a century old Gurdwara (worship place of Sikh community).
After restoration and renovation of this single street, Shah Jee plans to make presentation of the idea to concerned departments including Local Government, Mayor Peshawar, Archaeology, Culture and dwellers of Peshawar to come forward and expand this campaign to the whole of the city by engaging more people.
He said a number of youngsters are joining hands with him by sparing time and contributing in painting of the walls in the city.
The objective of the renovation drive is also to educate and encourage people that like cleaning and decorating of homes is their own responsibility, beautification of our hometown is equally our collective duty, Shah Jee observed.
He expressed the hope that renovation of a single street would be completed soon and announced plans to hold a ceremony before Ramzan.
The event will showcase the impact and feedback of the initiative and invite individuals as well as public and private departments to join hands in the beautification of our beloved Peshawar.
He informed that Water and Sanitation Services Peshawar (WSSP) officials have approached him with appreciation and also extended offer of any cooperation and support in this regard.
He further stated that a number of local citizens from Peshawar offered financial support as part of their contribution to the campaign.
Shah Jee expressed the hope that Mera Shehar, Meri Zimadari will promote tourism, increase tourist’s footsteps in our city, strengthen local economy and improve lifestyle of the people who live here.
He also urged people, particularly the youth, to come forward and support the initiative to present Peshawar as a beautiful and attractive city, showcasing its centuries-old stories and rich heritage to visiting tourists