Malot Fort: LHC stops coal excavation
April 16, 2010
Rawalpindi
Justice Ijaz Ahmad of the Lahore High Court (LHC), Rawalpindi Bench, Thursday stopped the Punjab Mineral Development Corporation (PMDC) from excavation of coal within the 600-metre radius of Malot Fort in Chakwal.
The judge issued these orders after petitioner Qausain Faisal Mufti moved the court contending that mining in the surroundings of one thousand years old historical fort along with two temples has been creating deteriorating affects. The LHC bench also directed the federal and provincial archaeology departments to submit their reports regarding preservation of these sites within two weeks.
A local commission, comprising the petitioner, Punjab assistant advocate general, standing counsel and the president of Lahore High Court Bar Association, Rawalpindi, will visit the historical site on May 1 and submit a report report.
The petitioner had nominated both federal and provincial governments as respondents.
The advisory committee of the federal government constituted under Antiquities Act of 1975, Punjab government’s advisory committee constituted Special Premises Preservation Ordinance 1985 and Pakistan Environmental Protection Council have been seeking conservation of Malot Fort and temples and Katas Fort situated in the salt area of Chakwal.
The petitioner maintained that Hindu Raja Malot constructed less known Malot Fort and adjacent temples located some 15 kilometres from Kalar Kahar in 980 AD. The fort only survived with a temple and gateway in the Kashmiri style of architecture. They are built of coarse sandstone of various shades of ochreous red and yellow and many parts have suffered severely due to the weather conditions.
He said though the Katas Fort located near Choha Saidan Shah in salt range was first preserved by the federal government and later its care was given to Punjab government but no efforts were made to preserve the beauty of Malot Fort and its architecture. The petitioner told the court that continuous excavation of mines and minerals from the area had particularly put the Malot site in danger of extinction as it is located at hilltop and the hill has been made hollow.
On the other hand presence of three cement factories in the surrounding have been polluting the area damaging the architecture of the Malot structure and it is feared that if government does not intervene it will completely be destroyed. The petitioner has prayed to the court to direct the respondents to take action to preserve the sites and locate the other neglected historical sites in the areas. He also prayed to the court to direct the concerned departments to cancel the contracts and leases awarded to both public and private sector companies for obtaining mines and minerals from the area to keep the architectural structures safe.
The respondents department on Thursday told the court that the Katas fort is not located near the saltmines and it is safe. Upon which, the court issued the orders regarding the Malot Fort while putting off the case till May 5.
Justice Ijaz Ahmad of the Lahore High Court (LHC), Rawalpindi Bench, Thursday stopped the Punjab Mineral Development Corporation (PMDC) from excavation of coal within the 600-metre radius of Malot Fort in Chakwal.
The judge issued these orders after petitioner Qausain Faisal Mufti moved the court contending that mining in the surroundings of one thousand years old historical fort along with two temples has been creating deteriorating affects. The LHC bench also directed the federal and provincial archaeology departments to submit their reports regarding preservation of these sites within two weeks.
A local commission, comprising the petitioner, Punjab assistant advocate general, standing counsel and the president of Lahore High Court Bar Association, Rawalpindi, will visit the historical site on May 1 and submit a report report.
The petitioner had nominated both federal and provincial governments as respondents.
The advisory committee of the federal government constituted under Antiquities Act of 1975, Punjab government’s advisory committee constituted Special Premises Preservation Ordinance 1985 and Pakistan Environmental Protection Council have been seeking conservation of Malot Fort and temples and Katas Fort situated in the salt area of Chakwal.
The petitioner maintained that Hindu Raja Malot constructed less known Malot Fort and adjacent temples located some 15 kilometres from Kalar Kahar in 980 AD. The fort only survived with a temple and gateway in the Kashmiri style of architecture. They are built of coarse sandstone of various shades of ochreous red and yellow and many parts have suffered severely due to the weather conditions.
He said though the Katas Fort located near Choha Saidan Shah in salt range was first preserved by the federal government and later its care was given to Punjab government but no efforts were made to preserve the beauty of Malot Fort and its architecture. The petitioner told the court that continuous excavation of mines and minerals from the area had particularly put the Malot site in danger of extinction as it is located at hilltop and the hill has been made hollow.
On the other hand presence of three cement factories in the surrounding have been polluting the area damaging the architecture of the Malot structure and it is feared that if government does not intervene it will completely be destroyed. The petitioner has prayed to the court to direct the respondents to take action to preserve the sites and locate the other neglected historical sites in the areas. He also prayed to the court to direct the concerned departments to cancel the contracts and leases awarded to both public and private sector companies for obtaining mines and minerals from the area to keep the architectural structures safe.
The respondents department on Thursday told the court that the Katas fort is not located near the saltmines and it is safe. Upon which, the court issued the orders regarding the Malot Fort while putting off the case till May 5.
