PHA all set to organise ‘desi kushtis’ at Liaquat Bagh

‘Desi Akhara’ which was stopped in 1920 once again going to be restarted at Liaquat Bagh

Rawalpindi

Pakistan Horticultural Authority (PHA) has re-started ‘Desi Akhara’ (Wrestling place), which was stopped in 1920 here at Company Bagh now Liaquat Bagh, Rawalpindi. The concerned authority has established ‘Desi Akhara’ at the same spot at Liaquat Bagh after 96 years.

The local wrestlers of Potohar region particularly Rawalpindi city have started ‘Kushti’ practice at the ‘Desi Akhara’ at Liaquat Bagh.

Pakistan Horticultural Authority (PHA) Director General Malik Abid Mehmood told ‘The News’ that Chief Minister Punjab Mian Shahbaz Sharif and Chairman PHA Malik Ibrar are taking keen interest to bring back Liaquat Bagh in its original glory. He said that Liaquat Bagh, Rawalpindi is not just an ordinary park but it contains many stories about the past. Pakistan has very few national parks and Liaquat Bagh is one of them as it got this status due to its important location and historical background, he added.   

He said that we will start proper ‘dangal’ on daily basis in the morning and night after its inauguration which is expected in a week.  “We have announced national level ‘Dangal’ here at Liaquat Bagh in ‘Jashn-e-Baharaan’, he said. Till 1920, there was an ‘Akhara’ here at Company Bagh now Liaquat Bagh where Muslim, Hindu and Sikh wrestlers competed in wrestling matches at that time. 

‘The News’ met some old people they had shed light of the natural beauty of Rawalpindi and famous Liaquat Bagh. They said that they spend maximum time here at Liaquat Bagh as it was a joyful place at that time.

Lala Bashir Ahmed an old resident of Purana Qila said that Liaquat Bagh has lost its beauty. It was a joyful place where all variety of enjoyment was available. “I am happy to know that Punjab government is going to re-start ‘Akhara’ here at Liaquat Bagh,” he said. It’s not only a park but it’s our history and we should save our history traditions, he advised. 

He also said that before 1940s Rawalpindi was very peaceful and calm city no hustle bustle and heavy traffic or noisy environments. Only two sounds were familiar; one the hourly noise by the big clock at Bagh Sardaran which was very loud and melodious during dark hours.

Secondly the sound of the regular siren of the Rawalpindi Electric Power Company (REPCO) which we used to be listened exactly at nine at night, he said.

Naeem Ahmed Saddique, a resident of Akalgar said that he had memories of wrestling matches at Liaquat Bagh. There was a famous ‘Akhara’ here at Liaquat Bagh where wrestlers belonging to Muslim, Hindu and Sikh community competed in wrestling matches. We enjoyed a lot to watch ‘kushti’ at that time, he claimed.