Preserving history: Two years on, Charsadda museum has little to show

Some allege the structure is being used as a marriage hall with the consent of top officials.

PESHAWAR:

The Pushkalawati Museum in Charsadda is yet to be operational although it has been two years since its structure was completed. It is allegedly being used as a marriage hall with the consent of top officials of the archeology department.

Sources in the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Directorate of Archeology said the museum was constructed adjacent to Ghani Dheri complex and cost a little more than Rs27 million. Its purpose was to preserve antiquities of the Gandhara period excavated from sites across the district.

The museum was named Pushkalawati, which was the ancient name of Charsadda district that served as Gandhara’s capital in 6 BC. However, no antiquities have been showcased so far.

“The building was not properly constructed and is facing a seepage problem,” said a source, adding that those using the museum as a marriage hall should be charged, and the revenue generated be added to the national exchequer.

Another source contradicted the assertion that the museum was being used as a marriage hall and claimed it was operational, with antique items on display. He, however, acknowledged the building was facing structural problems.

Ghani Dheri

Ghani Dheri, which constitutes a library and a Mushaira hall, was constructed to honour the namesake Pakhtun poet. Millions of rupees were pumped to renovate the library building, which was teetering on the verge of collapse.

Later, secretary for culture Azam Khan ordered that the library be shifted to the museum because no more money should be wasted in fixing the doomed building. Renovation costs over the years had exceeded the original cost of Rs4.196 million spent to construct Ghani Dheri in 2000.

The library building was reportedly constructed by the Department of Civil and Works (C&W) on alluvial soil and without a proper foundation. Some years later, when the structure started to bend, a Project Cycle was prepared which estimated that Rs16.364 million will be needed for renovation.

Additional Project Cycles were prepared that suggested more money would be needed. Azam Khan, however, ordered that the site be abandoned and the library moved to the museum. About Rs5 million was allocated for the purpose when the decision was made.

An official of the archeology department accused a senior C&W official, affiliated with an influential political clan of Charsadda, of being behind the constant Project Cycles. He said a proper inquiry was never conducted against the C&W official despite the fact that the building was constructed on an unstable foundation.

Director of Archeology Dr Shah Nazar said an inquiry against the development work conducted by C&W is in progress and the museum will be operational once it is completed. The cafeteria has been opened and swings have been installed for children, he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 16^th, 2013.