Asad Umar appreciates renovation of Peshawar Museum, Sethi House

PESHAWAR: Federal Minister for Planning and Development Asad Umar on Saturday visited Peshawar Museum and Sethi House and highly appreciated the efforts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government to preserve the rich heritage of the region.

He also lauded the restoration of building of Peshawar Museum. The minister was briefed about renovation and conservation works of Peshawar Museum by Director Archaeology and Museums KP, Dr Abdul Samad. The minister went around different galleries of the Peshawar Museum and sections of Sethi House Peshawar and took keen interest in it.

Peshawar Museum, a lone museum of Gandhara Art in the world having over 30,000 rare antiquities collection, was reopened for general public, archeologists and tourists after completion of conservation and renovation work by the government.

The entire building of the colonial era including its exterior and interior structure and designs has been completely rehabilitated and conserved by renowned experts without compromising on its original ancient architecture.

The two-storey building, an amalgamation of British and Mughal architectures, originally consisted of a main hall and two side aisles on ground and first floor, surmounted by four elegant cupolas and small pinnacle on all corners, has been rehabilitated. The renovation work was necessitated after its exterior and interior structure was badly affected by earthquakes and harsh weather conditions.

It is the only museum in the world where the complete life story of the Founder of Buddhism, Lord Bhudda was preserved in the form of panels and statues, attracting domestic and international tourists, Buddhists and monks every year.

The completed renovation and conservation work includes an ancient main hall constructed in 1906 in memory of Queen Victoria where the complete life story of Lord Buddha, Buddha Gallery with statues of Lord Buddha and Buddha Savatta Gallery having princely life of young Buddha.

Constructed some 150 years back on Sher Suri Road opposite Governor House, Peshawar Museum has about 30,000 rare antiques, artifacts, coins, swords, guns and others antiquities including 16,000 were properly showcased and around 14,000 artifacts are lying in cupboards due to scarcity of space.

The government has conserved its colonial-era dorms and ceilings while all outdated plastic pipes and electrical wires were replaced with imported electrification and other relevant materials to prevent water seepage and ensure uninterrupted power supply in a unique style of colorful lighting.

The gallery of ancient dresses of Waziristan tribes, primitive cooking plates, and jewelry besides muzzleloader guns mostly used by British Army and Swords of freedom fighters and punch-marked coins were also renovated.