Mankera Fort: an opportunity lost

Ancient structure has great tourism potential, but is ignored by authorities

BHAKKAR: Mankera Fort has the potential to be turned into a tourist attraction, but the structure is fast disappearing due to the negligence of authorities.

The fort dates back to 1,000 BC and is considered a principal feature of the town. The monument lies half a kilometer from Bhakkar Highway.

Today, the fort is mostly in ruins. Except for a wall, a tomb, and a few signs of masonry, everything else seems to have vanished. The fortification wall is also in ruins.

Schools and a hospital have been constructed inside the fort, along with the houses of people who live in it. A small fort is also present inside Mankera Fort and was once used by the royal family as a residence.



Talking to The Express Tribune, Assistant Commissioner Mankera Anwar Ali Kanju said the provincial government owns the inner and outer property of Mankera Fort. People have built some illegal houses and shops which have been sealed by the authorities.

Kanju said action has been taken against encroaching shops and houses which were built in the inner and outer part of Mankera Fort. He said ownership of houses is only given in cases in which the market value of the property is taken in installments. He added this procedure would bring success for the government’s Apna Ghar scheme in Mankera.

He said shops can be rented on the basis of market value and the government would receive a security deposit. Kanju concluded this would result in decent revenue for authorities.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 7^th, 2019.