Heritage buildings crumble amid neglect

Over 200 historic multi-storey structures face collapse due to lack of protection

RAWALPINDI:

More than 200 historic multi-storey buildings, dating back 100 to 150 years and belonging to the British and pre-partition era, are rapidly deteriorating across Rawalpindi due to a lack of protection.

Verbal claims of safeguarding and restoring this architectural heritage are proving hollow, as the structures continue to crumble. Five years ago, over 500 such buildings - constructed with strong lime mortar, cement and solid bricks on plots ranging from three to 10 marlas - still existed.

Many have since been demolished and replaced with new houses and markets.

Every year, during the monsoon and winter seasons, two to three old buildings collapse after several days of continuous rain, causing loss of life and property. Around 100 of these historic buildings are owned by the Evacuee Trust Property Board, including six abandoned temples, two gurdwaras and several other ancient structures.

Many of these properties once belonged to prominent figures such as Sohan Singh, Mohan Singh, Lala Gound Ram Sethi, Bakshi Abnashi, Indian General Zorawar Chand Bakshi, Dr Amar Singh, Rawalpindi's first honorary magistrate Kirpal Singh, Rai Bahadur Sajjan Singh, Lala Ram Anand, municipal committee presidents Sita Ram and Dev Raj Anand, and Parsi Seth Dhanji Bai.

Built with lime and small bricks, these buildings still display imposing wooden balconies, doors, windows, overhanging eaves and stone arches.

Despite being broken and dilapidated, their architectural grandeur remains evident, reflecting the strength and craftsmanship of their era.

Funds worth Rs500 million were allocated for the restoration of the largest Sajjan Singh Building, while Rs1 billion was earmarked for restoring five closed 90- to 110-year-old temples and one gurdwara in Bagh Sardaran as cultural heritage sites. However, these allocations remained only on paper, and no restoration work has taken place so far.

The only historic building preserved in its original condition is the 110-year-old Lal Haveli, owned by former interior minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, due to his personal attention and continuous maintenance.

The Evacuee Trust Property Board has rented out several of its historic buildings, while many others have been encroached upon. A 100-year-old, 12-kanal education block on Murree Road has remained protected only because it houses an educational office.

Most of these ancient structures are located in areas such as Mohalla Shah Chan Chiragh, Purana Qila, Ghazni Road, Bagh Sardaran, Bhabra Bazaar, Bohar Bazaar, Moti Bazaar, Kalan Bazaar, Mochi Bazaar, Qasai Gali, Jamia Masjid Road, Kachera Bazaar, Sarafa Bazaar, Raja Bazaar, Chitiyan Hattian, Lattu Mohalla and Mohalla Niyarian.

The Rawalpindi Development Authority prepared a restoration project for the Sajjan Singh Building in 2021, which has since lapsed.

All dilapidated temples are currently occupied by residents, while the gurdwara in Bagh Sardaran is under the control of the police Special Branch.

An official of the Evacuee Trust Property Board said restoration is possible only if the buildings are vacated, adding that repeated eviction notices have failed due to court stay orders.

Meanwhile, the Department of Archaeology has never initiated any restoration project for Rawalpindi's historic buildings.