Funding delay mars heritage restoration efforts

The Rawalpindi district administration has decided to pitch the renovation project of 132-year-old Haveli Sujan Singh, seven historical gurdwaras and one temple to the newly elected Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.

The Punjab government approved the project four years ago, with an estimated cost of Rs240 million. The project has been delayed for four years due to the non-availability of funds. After renovation, the historic gurdwaras and temples, including Haveli Sujan Singh, will be opened to tourists.

Talking to The Express Tribune, a senior district administration official stated while requesting anonymity that former commissioner Captain (retd) Muhammad Mehmood had obtained approval for the project from the Punjab government in 2020.

Due to improper maintenance, the 132-year-old Haveli Sujan Singh—a significant cultural heritage site—has crumbled into ruin.

The former Rawalpindi commissioner had taken approval from the Punjab government to renovate Haveli Sujan Singh to preserve this heritage and introduce its history to tourists. The project included the renovation of the Haveli, including the historic seven gurdwaras and a temple around the Haveli.

According to the officer, the project’s goal was to transform the historic streets of the inner Bhabra Bazaar into walking streets, in which the balconies of all the ancient buildings were to be painted with colourful patterns.

The plan included establishing a library on the ground floor of Haveli Sujan Singh, which would store historical books. On the top floor, however, a restaurant will be constructed where visitors may sit and have tea while learning about the Haveli’s history.

The plan involved relocating electricity poles, telephones and other wires installed in the streets near Haveli Sajjan Singh to restore some of the old scenery. Although it was also part of the plan to establish a museum on the second level of Haveli. This museum was to house artefacts pertaining to the Sikh and British Raj.

Sources said despite the project’s approval, the Rawalpindi administration will not pay the amount required to start the project. The lack of funding causes the project to be postponed continuously.

A Sikh family-owned Haveli Sujan Singh, they left this Haveli at the time of the partition and migrated to India. This family also owned the Badshahi Mahal on Mall Road, which currently houses the Fatima Jinnah Women’s University.

Before this project, the plan to make Haveli Sajan Singh a campus of Fatima Jinnah University was also under consideration, however, it could not be implemented due to various reasons.

Haveli Sujan Singh consists of 45 large rooms, which is associated with witnessing British architectural style. Its balconies have wooden arches and doors that relate to the view. The purpose of opening this mansion for tourists was not only to preserve the cultural heritage and introduce it to the next generations but also to promote the Potohar culture, which has been delayed due to a lack of funds.

Regarding the delay of the Haveli Sujan Singh revamp project, the district administration stated that the newly elected Chief Minister, Maryam Nawaz, is giving great importance to the historical buildings.

The Rawalpindi district administration will try to implement the project of the present Punjab chief minister to secure the cultural buildings; a lot of work has already been done on this project.

“Buildings associated with cultural heritage are our hallmark, and we will also ensure their safety. The homework for this project has been completed; the only thing lacking is funding, which will be addressed with every effort,” the official said.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 24^th, 2024.