Ancient Heritage Sight being Demolished in Peshawar to pave way for Commercial Plaza

[Laozi]

‘Ancient Hindu temple in Peshawar being secretly demolished’
An ancient Hindu temple in the northwestern Pakistan city of Peshawar is being secretly demolished so that a commercial plaza can come up in its place, local residents have alleged.

The temple at Karimpura in Peshawar’s old quarters is being demolished in the name of repairs, residents of the area said. The process began 10 days ago and is going on without any hindrance, they said.

“It is a pity that a criminal act of pulling down a heritage structure has been launched. The building is being knocked down clandestinely to erect a commercial plaza on the site,” an unnamed resident was quoted as saying by PTI.

“There is no action from any of the government departments which are supposed to protect such buildings,” the resident said.

Residents questioned the silence of government departments on the episode. They also deplored the inaction of authorities. There has been no action by the Evacuee Trust Property Board and Auqaf Department, which deal with non-Muslim properties, and the Archaeology Department.

Four organisations working to protect cultural heritage have urged the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government to save the temple. The Sarhad Conservation Network, Frontier Heritage Trust, Institute of Architects Pakistan and Karwan Jirga said in a statement on Tuesday the demolition of the temple at Mohallah Wangri Garan was a reminder of how menacing and strong the market forces had become everywhere, the Dawn newspaper reported.

The organisations hoped the provincial government would stop flagrant negligence and violation by authorities instead of being reduced to a silent spectator.

The bodies recalled the Peshawar’s deputy commissioner’s announcement that there would be a blanket application of Section 144 to all heritage sites in the walled city and hoped the temple could be the first test case of conservation for the heritage committee.

Courtesy Hindustan Times
‘Ancient Hindu temple in Peshawar being secretly demolished’

 

[Mughal-Prince]

I wonder what KPK govt is upto ?? thats shameless criminal negligence and corruption.

 

[Sugarcane]

PTI is busy in protesting against metro in Lahore and it's impact on near by historic buildings.

 

[Imad.Khan]

This article first showed up on thenews,com,pk/print/99988-Residents-resent-ongoing-demolition-of-ancient-temple


p.s. as i can't paste URLs, i have changed the . to ,

 

[Paksanity]

View attachment 295226
‘Ancient Hindu temple in Peshawar being secretly demolished’
An ancient Hindu temple in the northwestern Pakistan city of Peshawar is being secretly demolished so that a commercial plaza can come up in its place, local residents have alleged.

The temple at Karimpura in Peshawar’s old quarters is being demolished in the name of repairs, residents of the area said. The process began 10 days ago and is going on without any hindrance, they said.

“It is a pity that a criminal act of pulling down a heritage structure has been launched. The building is being knocked down clandestinely to erect a commercial plaza on the site,” an unnamed resident was quoted as saying by PTI.

“There is no action from any of the government departments which are supposed to protect such buildings,” the resident said.

Residents questioned the silence of government departments on the episode. They also deplored the inaction of authorities. There has been no action by the Evacuee Trust Property Board and Auqaf Department, which deal with non-Muslim properties, and the Archaeology Department.

Four organisations working to protect cultural heritage have urged the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government to save the temple. The Sarhad Conservation Network, Frontier Heritage Trust, Institute of Architects Pakistan and Karwan Jirga said in a statement on Tuesday the demolition of the temple at Mohallah Wangri Garan was a reminder of how menacing and strong the market forces had become everywhere, the Dawn newspaper reported.

The organisations hoped the provincial government would stop flagrant negligence and violation by authorities instead of being reduced to a silent spectator.

The bodies recalled the Peshawar’s deputy commissioner’s announcement that there would be a blanket application of Section 144 to all heritage sites in the walled city and hoped the temple could be the first test case of conservation for the heritage committee.

Courtesy Hindustan Times
‘Ancient Hindu temple in Peshawar being secretly demolished’

Ancient? Heritage? How is that? When was it built and what is its historic significance? Who built it? And how and why it can be termed as heritage of Pakistan? Please be specific.

 

[Imad.Khan]

Ancient? Heritage? How is that? When was it built and what is its historic significance? Who built it? And how and why it can be termed as heritage of Pakistan? Please be specific.

Well from that image it does look ancient, if it is the picture of the actual place

 

[Paksanity]

Well from that image it does look ancient, if it is the picture of the actual place

No. That style is of pre-partition British era. There are thousands of such buildings. No way they can be called ancient, historic or heritage. Poor condition is because these are abandoned buildings and not in use since partition after Hindus moved out of area. There is a sinister intent behind such postings.

 

[Imad.Khan]

No. That style is of pre-partition British era. There are thousands of such buildings. No way they can be called ancient, historic or heritage. Poor condition is because these are abandoned buildings and not in use since partition after Hindus moved out of area. There is a sinister intent behind such postings.

Is there a member from that region that can verify this for the general audience

 

[Musafir117]

Why so shocked? Arabs demolishing lot of religious stuff to built buildings towers etc, we can bash Arabs but not owners of pure land.

 

[Zibago]

No. That style is of pre-partition British era. There are thousands of such buildings. No way they can be called ancient, historic or heritage. Poor condition is because these are abandoned buildings and not in use since partition after Hindus moved out of area. There is a sinister intent behind such postings.

Mariyam Nawaz,s special IT team to build positive image of govt

 

[Laozi]

Ancient? Heritage? How is that? When was it built and what is its historic significance? Who built it? And how and why it can be termed as heritage of Pakistan? Please be specific.

There are Historical sites which exist before the creation of the boundaries of modern nations.

How to put them in the best use depends on the respective nations.

Whether to demolish a historical site for building a commercial plaza or restoring it to promote Tourism is a matter of debate and choice and priorities.

My personal view is that conserving the heritage sites is more beneficial for the society in the long run. And such sites should not be demolished at all at least for the commercial constructions. Only for the projects of National Interests such extreme steps should be considered.

 

[bdslph]

action should be taken against who did this
this is a historical place and a ancient temple

 

[Paksanity]

There are Historical sites which exist before the creation of the boundaries of modern nations.

How to put them in the best use depends on the respective nations.

Whether to demolish a historical site for building a commercial plaza or restoring it to promote Tourism is a matter of debate and choice and priorities.

My personal view is that conserving the heritage sites is more beneficial for the society in the long run. And such sites should not be demolished at all at least for the commercial constructions. Only for the projects of National Interests such extreme steps should be considered.

My point being how this building can be declared ancient or historic? What is the history and significance of this building? Without establishing any history attached to the building, how come it became heritage of Pakistan?

It looks more of commercial encroachment of government land than anything else. They should build a school, library, park or perhaps a sports facility here instead of a commercial plaza. Trying to create a storm in tea cup is no good. Old abandoned buildings have to be replaced with new functional ones.

 

[Laozi]

My point being how this building can be declared ancient or historic? What is the history and significance of this building? Without establishing any history attached to the building, how come it became heritage of Pakistan?

It looks more of commercial encroachment of government land than anything else. They should build a school, library, park or perhaps a sports facility here instead of a commercial plaza. Trying to create a storm in tea cup is no good. Old abandoned buildings have to be replaced with new functional ones.

I guess you don't like the idea of promoting tourism. Tourists flock Europe specially Italy and pay a huge fee for entry and sight seeing and getting photographed at such sites. Which in turn create many jobs and increase local and foreign earnings.
Anyways it is my personal view.

If space is a constraint then Building a school, library, park or perhaps a sports facility is also an excellent idea.

 

[KN-1]

I guess you don't like the idea of promoting tourism. Tourists flock Europe specially Italy and pay a huge fee for entry and sight seeing and getting photographed at such sites. Which in turn create many jobs and increase local and foreign earnings.
Anyways it is my personal view.

If space is a constraint then Building a school, library, park or perhaps a sports facility is also an excellent idea.

Why would tourists visit a place which has no historic neither ancient significance (no proof provided by you), Tourist would love to visit Peshawar for Qisa Khwani bazar, Bala Hisar fort, Islamia college, Mahabat Khan mosque and for lovely food though..