Reviving Multan's heritage: a journey through time

With a history spanning over 5,000 years, Multan is one of the world's oldest living cities and a prominent part of South Punjab.

Known as the "City of Saints," it holds immense cultural and architectural significance, especially within its Walled City. This 1.2-square kilometre area is home to countless historic buildings, each bearing a unique story.

These structures, many still well-preserved, offer vast potential for hosting cultural events and drawing tourists from around the globe, establishing Multan as a centre for heritage tourism.

The Walled City is a treasure trove of monumental landmarks that reflect Multan's rich spiritual and historical importance. Notable among them are the Masjid Wali Muhammad, Masjid Hazrat Sakhi Yahya, Shrine of Hazrat Musa Pak Shaheed, Tarkhana Wali Masjid, Bohar Gate, Jain Mandar and the Tomb of Shah Yousuf Gardez. The city also boasts renowned shrines like Hazrat Bahauddin Zakariya and Hazrat Shah Rukn-e-Alam, which attract both religious pilgrims and cultural tourists.

Historic gates such as the Delhi Gate and Lohari Gate, along with bustling streets like Mohalla Jatoo Shah and Mohalla Kamngrah, further enrich the city's cultural landscape.

Despite the city's vast potential, the Walled City currently attracts only around 100 foreign tourists per month, alongside a slightly larger number of locals. Authorities believe that by addressing infrastructure and administrative challenges, Multan could welcome thousands of visitors annually.

A major hurdle to the development of the Walled City is the jurisdictional complications between various departments, combined with inadequate funding.

These issues have slowed efforts to restore and maintain the area's historic assets. However, a significant step forward occurred a decade ago when the Italian government allocated $251 million for the restoration of key heritage sites.

The Walled City Authority successfully revitalized areas like Haram Gate, Sarafa Bazaar, and the Shrine of Musa Pak Shaheed, renewing their historic essence.

Walled City Multan Assistant Director Umair Ghazanfar is optimistic about the city's future as a cultural destination.

"We welcome an average of 100 foreign tourists monthly, and our tricycle tours offer a unique way to explore these historic streets," he said. Local enthusiasts, such as Dr Sajid, see further potential for tourism.

"We need to improve infrastructure by adding small hotels, cafés, and entertainment spots to make the area more attractive to tourists," he suggested.

Dr Muzzamal, a local tourist, advocated for regular cultural events to highlight Multan's heritage. "Such events would attract more tourists and foster a deeper connection between residents and visitors," he said, emphasizing the need for training local residents as guides to promote hospitality and share the stories of their historic city.

According to experts, the revitalisation of Multan's Walled City holds the promise of transforming it into a hub of cultural tourism. With restored buildings, improved infrastructure and a focus on hospitality, this historic city is poised to offer visitors a blend of history, spirituality, and local charm.