Archaeology seeks high ups' permission for restoration of Qasim fort wall.

MULTAN: The Archaeology department Multan has sought permission from high ups for execution of a project meant to restore historical boundary wall around Qasim fort, a structure that is missing and hence not listed as protected monument of the Punjab government.

It may be noted that Chief Justice of Lahore High Court, during a visit to Multan, had ordered administration to take initiatives for preserving and promotion of cultural heritage, and environment protection.

In compliance with the orders, the commissioner Multan division chaired many meetings with the officials concerned and assigned the task of restoration of fortification wall of Qasim fort to archaeology department. However, sources in the archaeology department said that building the fortification wall as per its original specifications would involve investment worth billions of rupees. And, construction of a modern RCC wall with its face covered by special sized bricks giving it an archaic look of the fort wall would cost around Rs 1.5 billion.

Moreover, sources said that the fortification wall was not registered as a protected monument and hence they needed approval from high ups to go ahead with the project. However, they added, they have...