Saving Swat's heritage

The News International
June 17, 2008

The NWFP government has taken many measures for the restoration of peace in the province in general and Swat in particular. It seems that the measures were successful and the peace committee agreed on certain terms and conditions with the local militants. The restive valley is slowly coming out of the wave of terror and is heading towards peace and normalcy. With the restoration of peace in the valley, the top economic activity – tourism -- will also resume. When peace prevails, tourists are attracted to Swat for its scenic beauty in the shape of lush green forests, meandering river and, cool summer and winter snowfall.

Besides these attractions there are a number of buildings of cultural and historical importance. Such buildings range from the stupas and settlements of the Gandhara civilization to those of the Swat state era like Jehanzeb College. Most Pakistani tourists visit the valley for its scenic beauty but international tourists visit the area for its heritage, which is complemented by scenic beauty.

Many of these archaeological sites are in a ruinous state and are plundered at will by treasure hunters. This needs to be immediately stopped. Besides the archaeological sites of the Gandhara civilization there are a number of buildings -- public or privately-owned -- of the Swat state era, built in the early and mid-20th century, and which are part of Swat's cultural heritage. The government has already demolished a number of precious buildings of the state era. One portion of a high school has just been demolished. The building was made of a precious wood material, itself worth millions of rupees. The reason shown in official documents was to 'create space' for more class rooms. But the ground reality tells us another story. The beautifully built wooden private rooms in Central Hospital constructed in 1940 and Madyan Hospital building were also demolished depriving the people of Swat of their cultural heritage. The provincial government seems bent upon demolishing more buildings. These include Jehanzeb College and its Mingora hostel.

The chief secretary of NWFP has already issued an order to stop the demolition of Jehanzeb College until proper assessment for retrofitting of the building. The DCO Swat has circulated a letter to this effect to the authorities concerned. It is suggested that an assessment report should be prepared by experts and structure engineer to retrofit the building. There are a number of other buildings of the early 20th century-Swat state. These include a number of schools and colleges, Allah-o-Akbar mosque, Saidu Baba mosque and tomb, the Mehmaan Khana, the Mehal of the late Wali Swat, the Central and Saidu hospitals and Maskan. All these buildings are worth seeing and protection. The conservation of these buildings will promote tourism and will convey a soft image of Swat to the world as well.

Khurshid Khan
Vice-chairman, Environmental Protection Society Swat