PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Secretary Kazim Niaz visited Peshawar’s historic Eidgah and directed that all unplanned extension work at the heritage site should be stopped immediately.

The work on the site had been stopped earlier by the archaeology department as the unplanned extension damaged the façade and architecture of the heritage building. Further restoration would be carried under supervision of the directorate of archaeology.

According to a press release issued here on Saturday, the chief secretary directed the Auqaf department to revise the project to cater to restoration, conservation and rehabilitation of the existing 110 years old building.

The Eidgah was under imminent threat of being defaced as plans are underway to construct a large concrete structure adjacent to its building.

Spread over 40 canals, Eidgah is located three kilometres to the northwest of the walled city on road to Charsadda.

In 1931, an old mosque dating back to the Durrani period was reconstructed as Eidgah. With a three-domed prayer hall on the western side of the compound the large courtyard of this heritage site is covered with tall Japanese Peepal trees providing shade to worshipers.

Traditionally allocated for Eid prayers, in the past governors and chief ministers would join public to offer Eid prayers here. The tradition has long been abandoned.

Construction of offices of the Auqaf department on the southern side and a mosque on the eastern side has truncated the courtyard considerably. Of late, the compound is used for funeral prayers.

While the government is increasing green cover in urban areas, the construction of concrete structures in Eidgah woulddeface the heritage site of Peshawar.Paving the courtyard with cement blocks and bricks would expose the rare heritage trees to slow death.

The chief secretary directed that no additional or renovation work should be carried out at heritage buildings in KP without the technical input and NOC of director archaeology.

Published in Dawn, May 2nd, 2021