Federal Minister for National Heritage and Culture Aurangzeb Khan Khichi has inaugurated and opened to tourists several historic heritage sites associated with the Gakhar legacy in the Islamabad region on Swan river bank, 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.
The sites have been placed on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List, marking an important step towards their recognition and preservation at the international level.
According to the Ministry, the Department of Archaeology and Museums had made exceptional efforts to secure the inclusion of the historic sites on the UNESCO Tentative List.
A PC-I costing approximately Rs54 million was approved and included in the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP), while work on the project had been continuing for around three years since its commencement in 2022.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, the Federal Minister said the government was committed to protecting Pakistan’s historical and cultural heritage and promoting these sites as destinations for domestic and international tourists, researchers and scholars. He also inspected the facilities and conservation work carried out at the sites.
He said CCTV cameras had been installed, security guards hired and gardeners deployed to ensure the protection and upkeep of the heritage sites. Conservation, repair, preservation, landscaping and other development works had also been undertaken.
He emphasized that further work was required to improve accessibility, particularly the construction of a proper road leading to the historic sites.
Mr Khichi said the Gakhars of Potohar had a deep connection with the region’s history, culture and identity.
He said that after being briefed by the Department of Archaeology and Museums (DOAM) about the historic sites of Bagh Jogian and the surrounding area, including Mai Qamro Mosque, the Tomb of Sultan Muqarrab Khan, Pharwala Fort and Rawat Fort, he had directed the department to complete the repair and renovation work as soon as possible.
The Minister said he was surprised and delighted to learn that such a rich historical and cultural heritage existed within Islamabad and its surrounding region. He noted that there was a common perception that development and history in Islamabad began only after the establishment of the federal capital in the 1960s.
He appreciated the Ministry of National Heritage and Culture and the Department of Archaeology and Museums for their joint efforts to include these four important historic sites of Potohar on UNESCO’s World Heritage Tentative List.
The Minister described the inclusion as a major first step by the Government of Pakistan towards internationally highlighting the sacrifices, history and cultural heritage of the Gakhar people.
He expressed hope that once the remaining UNESCO requirements were fulfilled, the four sites would ultimately achieve World Heritage status, attracting tourists and scholars from around the world.
He also informed that a PC-II for Pharwala Fort had been prepared and would be approved after the allocation of funds.
The Minister said conservation and beautification work had also been undertaken at Mai Qamro Mosque and the Tomb of Sultan Muqarrab Khan. When work began, the site was in a highly deteriorated condition, with inadequate access and the area largely covered by bushes.
He said the Department of Archaeology and Museums had carried out proper demarcation and succeeded in recovering approximately 48 kanals of land that had been occupied by different local individuals. The recovered land was subsequently fenced, landscaped and developed into a garden, while seating and other basic facilities were provided for visitors.
He further said one of the historic tombs associated with Mai Qamro was close to collapse. Through special conservation efforts, the department preserved and restored the tomb while retaining its boundary wall in its original form.
The Minister added that some historic graves associated with the Gakhar tribes had also been restored under the available budget. However, further resources and measures were required for the continued conservation and beautification of the site, including the preservation of historic graves attributed to the Bukhari family and other archaeological remains.
The Federal Minister identified accessibility as one of the major challenges facing the heritage site.
He said a roughly two-kilometre road was available for local residents and tourists, but the existing route was in poor condition. With the site now included on UNESCO’s Tentative List, he said the road would be upgraded into a proper carpeted road by the authorities concerned upon the Ministry’s request.
He said improved road access would enable domestic and international tourists to reach the historic sites conveniently and would contribute significantly to the promotion of cultural tourism in the region.
The Minister reiterated that the Government of Pakistan would continue efforts to preserve the country’s historic heritage, complete the remaining UNESCO requirements and promote the Potohar region as an important destination for history, archaeology and cultural tourism.
