Balochistan- A historical land. Its mountains, desert and valleys bear the imprints of ancient civilizations. However, most of this history has been sidelined. Castles, landmarks and forts have been allowed to decay. At last, the government has decided to act. Four historic forts are in the process of restoration. Here it is more than bricks and stones. It is pride, identity and opportunity.

The government allocates 350 million rupees for restoring four historic forts.

Restoring of Moti Gohram Fort in Jhal Magsi is the most vital one. It is known in the people as the Taj Mahal of Balochistan. Its value can be seen on the name itself. It is an aurora of love, strength and beauty. The fort has gone neglected over years. Its walls became loose. The romantic drift landed away. It can now be raised again by good care. The government has already assigned 100 million rupees to revival of it. This is money dram well spent.

That is not the end of the project. There are also three other forts which will be rebuilt. Panjgur Lai Dam Fort is listed. As is the Hormagai Fort in Washuk. New life will also come to the fort in Kharan. Such locations are not necessarily popular. but there is a story to each. There is a cultural weight to each. These coupled up constitute a historical cycle of Balochistan. By restoring them, the chain of identity will be linked.

The cost is obvious. It has set aside a total of 350 million rupees to this effect. Equal distribution has been exercised in lotting off the share. Jhal Magsi has 100 million. Washuk is allotted 100 million. Same happens to Kharan. Panjgur is allocated 50 million. Such figures are small, by comparison to bigger projects in other locations. But in a heritage, this is a commencement. This is an indication that finally culture is being taken seriously.

Unfortunately, it is not everybody who believes in progression. There are factors that will attempt to inhibit such moves. They are afraid that their agenda will not be suitable to an enlightened and networked society. Their aim is to see people isolated in their ancestries. They do not find it worth reviving history. They like silence and abandonment. Such an attitude is destructive. It deprives Balochistan of an opportunity to represent itself as it is. It robs the young people their right to pride.

Moti Gohram Fort, the “Taj Mahal of Balochistan,” gets 100 million.

This project has a different spirit, however. Restoration does not involve preservation of old walls only. It is job creation. Masons, carpenters and labourers are given a job when work starts. The suppliers in the area benefit. Small business around the forts would expand. The tourists introduce the demand of food, transport, and accommodation. A chain of opportunity starts. To a province that has a difficult time with unemployment, this is a blessing.

Another big product is tourism. Balochistan is extremely beautiful. However, its heritage of culture remains less known. Tourists visit Gwadar because of the sea. They come to the hills at Quetta. Few people however are aware of the historic forts. When their beauty is recreated, these buildings will be able to attract tourists not only in Pakistan but also worldwide. History is something that tourists adore. They desire to look, feel and touch the past. Such forts can provide that.

Economic advantages cannot be disputed. It will play the role of creating jobs. Revenue will be made. A local economy will be reinforced. Yet the moral impulses are equally powerful. Individuals will take pride. They will also feel their history appreciated. Before their eyes, they will narrate to their children’s stories with evidence. Fort is not a monument. It is a bookless classroom. It is also a lesson in resilience, beauty and identity.

The recovery will enhance cohesion as well. The Balochistan region can be explained in terms of problems-security, poverty and neglect. But it is worth another history. Cultural, powerful and maintaining strength. The government is changing that story by repairing its forts. It is asserting that what happens to a place like Balochistan is in the past. And that it has people as well.

Restoration means jobs, tourism, and stronger local economies.

Is it so, that obstacles still exist? Yes, a few will attempt at resistance. Yet this move cannot be set out to rest. These forts once taken care of and promoted will be sources of dignity. They will unite people. They will be appealing in terms of investment. They will paint Balochistan in a better picture.

This is something the decision-makers of today will be appreciated by future generations. They will take a step on the Moti Gohram Fort wall and have a sense of belonging to it. They will find their way to Washuk, Kharan and Panjgur and will learn how their province is not poverty-stricken regarding culture. They will realize that they did not leave their history behind. Rather it was conserved.

Forts symbolize resilience, identity, and cultural pride.

Revitalization and renovation of these forts is not a luxury. It looks like preserving heritage before it is lost. It is an attempt at making the world know that Balochistan is much more than what the headlines show. Such an endeavour is to be applauded.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author. They do not represent the views, beliefs, or policies of the Stratheia.