Historic Chaukhandi Graveyard in a state of neglect

KARACHI: There are some 130 heritage sites all over Sindh that are neglected and unprotected. The Chaukhandi Graveyard, one of the oldest graveyards of Pakistan, is one such example of negligence and improper maintenance. It is a unique model of 300-year-old architecture with beautiful artistic work. In the early 1960s, the federal government had declared it a national asset and a protected heritage site. During the past 50 years, the department could not establish any museum, protective boundary wall, or any guidebook or booklet for visitors’ guidance. As per sources, the secretary of the department concerned has not visited the site during the last 25 years. Bin Qasim Administrator Nadir Ali Wassan told Daily Times that he had written many letters to the authorities concerned for taking necessary action, as the graveyard was not under the town administration’s control; however, the officials concerned have yet to respond. “We wish we could construct a protective boundary wall around the graveyard, but we need permission from the department concerned,” he said. text and photos by asghar azad

Courtesy: Daily times