Volunteers restore charm of Chaka Gali

In the narrow, history-laden lanes of Peshawar's ancient walled city, an elderly painter affectionately called Commando dips his brush into fresh whitewash, methodically transforming the facades of decades-old homes in Chaka Gali.

Over the past month, he has single-handedly refreshed dozens of residential buildings in this historic mohalla, a labour of love overseen by a group of dedicated young volunteers determined to restore the city's forgotten charm.

The young man behind the effort is Malik Muzammil, a volunteer with Mera Shehar Meri Zimadari (My City, My Responsibility), a community initiative founded by local activist Syed Mohsin Ali Shah, widely known as Shah Jee. The group, comprising around 50 like-minded friends and supporters, pools personal contributions and generous donations from Peshawar residents to fund the project.

"We hired Commando to whitewash the houses here in Chaka Gali," Muzammil explained while carefully supervising the work. "Once the painting is complete, we are installing street lights throughout the gali. Next, we will place potted plants outside the homes to add greenery and beauty."

The initiative has already seen remarkable community support. When the volunteers first discussed revitalising this historic alley, one local businessman donated all the required paint. "People have been incredibly generous," he added. "Our goal is to make Chaka Gali more attractive, drawing visitors to experience the true essence of old Peshawar."

Chaka Gali, nestled in the Karimpura area of the walled city, is one of the many storied mohallas that once thrived with rich Hindu merchants before Partition. Elders recall that the lane was originally known as Mohalla Sewadas, home to prosperous Hindu trading families. Nearby streets bore names like Gali Bakhshi Ram and Gali Bhola Ram, honouring the sons of a merchant named Ram Kishan. Over time, Chakkar Gali evolved into the current Chaka Gali, with popular lore linking it to chakka (yoghurt), though historical accounts point to its deeper mercantile roots.

Adjacent to Chaka Gali lies Mohallah Jogan Shah, home to the 300-year-old Bhai Biba Singh Jee Gurdwara, a silent testament to the area's multi-faith past.

Shah Jee, inspired by a recent visit to Lahore where historic structures are being meticulously renovated to boost tourism, decided Peshawar deserved the same attention. "Old Lahore felt so similar to old Peshawar in architecture and spirit," he said. "We realised we couldn't just complain about neglect, we had to act. That is why we started with Chaka Gali, carefully selecting buildings that will look beautiful after restoration while respecting the most ancient ones."

The group has focused on structures with strong visual potential, avoiding overly fragile heritage sites. With the whitewashing nearing completion and lighting nearly installed, the team plans to expand to other neglected mohallas in the walled city.