Peshawar theatre given reprieve

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Pakistan's government has intervened in a row over a historic cinema building in the north-western city of Peshawar which developers want to knock down.

The government has declared the British Raj-era theatre a protected monument.

It has blocked plans for its complete demolition even though work on bringing the imposing building down has begun.

It was built by a Sikh in the 1930s. The area now houses some of Peshawar's priciest property and developers want to build a shopping mall.

'Offenders'

Mohammad Bahadur Khan, director of the Archaeology Department, told the BBC on Monday that the building had been formally declared a protected monument under the Antiquity Act on 28 February.

The Falak Sair pictured in its heyday

He said the local authorities and police had been asked to take action and stop further demolition.

The Lansdowne theatre, named the Falak Sair in the 1960s, was a mixture of gothic and oriental architecture, intricate stonework and floral tiles, masonry and woodwork.

Demolition work was going on when this correspondent visited the building a few days back. Its roof, windows and doors had already been dismantled. In recent years the building had been plastered over in grey and covered up with billboards.

Conservationists were pleased by the government's belated move.

"This is indeed a good action. It is hoped the offenders are made to pay heavy fines so that the damage already inflicted is rectified and comprehensive restoration work is carried out so the damaged building can be returned to its original shape," said Adil Zareef, general secretary of the Sarhad Conservation Network.

The Antiquity Act 1975 forbids all listed buildings more than 75 years old from being demolished.

Alhough Sindh and Punjab provinces have listed and notified several pre-independence buildings, Peshawar, which happens to be the oldest living city in Pakistan with 2,500 years of recorded history, has remained behind on this count.