LAHORE - With the financial as well as architectural assistance of Italy, a plan is on the anvil to restore Multan - the second oldest city in the world - on the pattern of Italian city of Rome at an estimated cost of Rs251million.
Originally a brainchild of former PM Yousuf Raza Gilani, the project would be completed under Pak-Italian Debt Swap Agreement (PIDSA) with the active involvement of Punjab government.
A member of the project committee told this reporter that the former premiere during his tenure had requested his Italian counterpart to provide consultancy to preserve ancient Multan on the pattern of Rome renovation.
The documents, available with The Nation, Rs47m has been earmarked for Haram Gate, Rs26m for Musafir Khana, Rs70m for Sarafa Bazar and other historic sites.
DCO Multan Zahid Saleem Gondal who is also director of the project told The Nation that Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and Chief Secretary Khizar Hayat Gondal had desired to rehabilitate the walled city of Multan like Lahore.
He added that the Italians not only had funded the rehabilitation cost but also prepared architecture and PC1 of the project.
The project has been launched with the assistance of Italian experts and funds to revive and beautify the centuries-old historical heritage of Multan city, the DCO said.
Multan is the oldest living city of the world with five thousands of years old culture after Damascus. The Punjab government has decided to restore historic gates and buildings of Multan with the collaboration of Italy, the DCO held.
There are many old and dilapidated buildings in the walled city and the government wants to rehabilitate them as well, he added.
He lamented that the historic gates and buildings had become ruins because of lack of care but the project would revive their historic importance. He also demanded of the Punjab government to establish a Walled City Authority for rehabilitation of Multan and Shujabad’s old areas. He hoped that the city government would complete the project within stipulated time.
Reportedly, the Italian government had allocated $10 million for the renovation and restoration of historical buildings in Multan. According to Consultant Daniele Beacco the walled city was itself a museum and had potential to attract domestic and foreign tourists.