Centuries’ old Haram Gate restored in Multan with Italian help

MULTAN: The century’s old masterpiece of Multan heritage, the Haram Gate has been restored to its original historical form in collaboration with Italian technical expertise and financial help.

Italian Deputy Ambassador Roberto Podo on Wednesday inaugurated the restoration and renovation work at Haram Gate, which is part of Multan Walled City Project Phase I.

The project aims to preserve the centuries-old civilization. It will be completed in three phases. In the first phase, Haram Gate, Jewellers’ Market, the old hotels and passenger homes will be redesigned and renovated by research and design teams. In the second phase of the project, they will be reconstructed.

Total cost of the project is Rs. 422 million, while Rs. 8.7 million has been spent on the restoration of Haram Gate. Most modern sheds have also been established in front of it.

Speaking on the occasion, Roberto Podo said that Italian architects and experts are extending their complete expertise in the restoration of Multan’s historical heritage in its original form. He said the Italian and Punjab governments were taking ideal initiatives in this regard.

Adding further he stated that Multan is a lone city having a significant culture, heritage and history that is acknowledged across the world. He underlined need for preserving the century’s old heritage of Multan and reiterated that measures should be taken for the purpose accordingly.

Internationally renowned Italian architect Prof W said the Walled City Project is a reflection of long-lasting friendship between Italy and Pakistan. He said the work in progress is aimed at the restoration of Multan, including all historical monuments, with the budget of Rs 422 million.

Taking the occasion to express his gratification at the inaugural ceremony, Multan Deputy Commissioner Nadir Chatha said that he believes it is the most prestigious day in the history of the city that the Haram Gate, Sarafa Bazaar and guest rooms have been restored in their true form.

The historical monuments would be preserved for the next generations as role model under the project, he added.

“We are also looking into proposals for building parks and places for recreation after the restoration of heritage and gates”, he shared. “No businesses will be adversely affected by the project. “In fact it will bring more business to this area,” he said.

Multan boasts a total of six gates and Haram Darwaza is one of them that date back to the historical era. It comprises of two pylons on each flank, with a large four-cantered pointed arch in the middle and the secluded towers on flanks are double storied. A circular road runs around the walled city connecting all the six gates. Few of the gates named Bohar, Haram and Delhi, that still exist today, were reconstructed in the latter half of the nineteenth century

The century’s old Multan civilization has taken new breath of life while the prime objective behind the restoration of walled city in its original form, was to promote tourism, history and old civilization of it at international level.