The iconic timepiece at historic Ghanta Ghar (clock tower), a cherished 123-year-old landmark, has stopped working due to the non-payment of salary to the dedicated employee responsible for its maintenance.
Official sources have revealed that this employee has gone unpaid for four months, and the government has also neglected to renew his contract. Consequently, for the first time in over a century, this timepiece has ceased to function.
Remarkably, there is only one skilled worker who manually winds the clock, yet the Peshawar Metropolitan Government has been unable to compensate him due to financial constraints, sources told The Express Tribune.
The employee was hired on a daily wage contract, which expired four months ago, and there is currently no indication of its renewal.
Adding to the woes, a technical issue with the power supply has plunged the tower into complete darkness during the night, further contributing to the clock’s non-functionality. Despite several notifications to Mayor Peshawar and other high-ranking officials about these pressing issues, a resolution remains elusive.
It’s worth noting that the historic Ghanta Ghar, situated within the old walled city, opened to the public in 1900. While it was officially named the Cunningham Clock Tower, it is more commonly known as Ghanta Ghar among the locals.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 9th, 2023.
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