Mr. Inam ul Haque
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs
Govt of Pakistan
copy to Mr. Mohammad Tariq Janjua,
Secretary Culture and Heritage
Dear Minister
I am writing to express my support for the conservation of ancient monuments in Peshawar, and particularly Gor Ghuttree. I have visited Peshawar several times, and lived there for a year 2000/01 and enjoyed going to the sites that show the history of the city and demonstrate the
importance of Peshawar in world events.
I have heard from friends in the Sarhad Conservation Network that there is a serious threat to historical sites in Peshawar and I have received a copy of proposals by Professor Farzand Durrani, an eminent specialist, for the preservation of Gor Ghuttree.
I was sad to see how little Gor Ghuttree was being cared for when I was there, but it was still possible to get an idea of the artistic and cultural history that it shows. The caravanserai and the amazing towers are wonderful to visit. It would be a valuable showpiece for the city if it was excavated expertly and developed as a tourist site. I urge you to forward this with urgency to the relevant government department to ask them to consider Professor Farzand Durrani's proposals for the site.
I was extremely upset the Dean's Hotel was not preserved and renovated.
As well as the aesthetic value of the building, it was a vital green area in the city centre, and a potential gold mine from tourists visiting a traditional, local style hotel -many will pay a lot for that.
I also visited the Mohabat mosque, Bala Hissar Fort, the city walls, and the Cunningham clock tower, which helped me to understand more of Pakistan and Peshawar's history and culture.
I have had business and personal associations with Pakistan for the last 30 years and I sincerely wish for health and prosperity for your country.
I believe that expert conservation of your historical buildings has enormous value to the social life and environment of Pakistanis, as well for tourism and economic development.
Yours sincerely
Nicola Ruck
Health and Development Consultant
Hardy Nook
6 New Brighton
Cottingley
W Yorks BD16 1UR
UK
Tel +44 1274 582634
email [email protected]
Archaeological Research & Conservation of Gor-Khuttree By Prof Farzand Durrani (Mar 2002)
Historic Swat Stupa by Mazhar Alam (Aug 07, 2002)