ISLAMABAD: The Department of Archeology and Museums has taken the notice of demolition of the outer wall of the popular heritage site of Sarai Kharbuza in Islamabad due to private construction.
A department official said that the wall of the heritage site Sarai Kharbuza (which is also known as Melon’s Inn) was damaged the other day due to private construction by some persons. He said that the heritage site was earlier protected by the Punjab government but after devolution the status where it stands either under federal or provincial authority is still unclear.
The official said after devolution, the heritage sites across Pakistan were divided among all the provinces and now this site comes under the jurisdiction of the federal capital. The report of the incident has been submitted to Mashhood Ahmed Mirza who was given the additional charge of Director General DOAM.
“We are approaching the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to clear the status of the land ownership and also involving police to stop this activity under the Antiquities Law 1975,” he said. It is also pertinent to mention here that the building of the historical site is in dilapidated condition and no one is taking the responsibility of its renovation or preservation due to its unclear status.
Sarai Kharbuza (Melon’s Inn) is standing near to the capital of Pakistan from many centuries. It was another resting place for the travelers of Grand Trunk (GT) road. This grand road was built by the Mughals. There are hundreds of Inns which were built to facilitate the travelers and royal army. This one was another populated place of the Mughal Empire.
Margalla is situated next to the Sarai Kharbuza. It is said that in 16th century the rulers made a place for rest in this area and made a dome on that building. The shape of that dome matches with the melon so it is called as Sarai Kharbuza or Melon’s Inn.
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