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A British-era World War I monument in Islamabad has been demolished by developers, raising serious concerns over the loss of historical and cultural heritage in the federal capital, officials from the Department of Archaeology and Museums confirmed.
Monument Flattened for Commercial Development
Until last Sunday, the memorial stood on a 40-foot-high mound along Kuri Road near Rehara village. The surrounding land had already been cleared as part of plans to develop a commercial area for a new housing society.
Officials who visited the site on Tuesday found that the mound had been completely flattened and the monument dismantled, despite earlier instructions to halt any relocation or alteration.
Photographs shared by the archaeology department showed broken stone blocks scattered across freshly leveled ground.
Historical Significance of the Memorial
The monument was erected by the British Empire after 1914 to honor local soldiers who fought in World War I. It commemorated the sacrifices of men from nearby villages, including Rehara, and had remained at the site for decades as a symbol of shared history.
Relocation Request Rejected Earlier
Six months ago, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) and a private housing scheme had sought a no-objection certificate to shift the memorial about 100 meters to a proposed roundabout.
In its request, the CDA said the roundabout would be named after the monument to preserve its identity. However, the Department of Archaeology and Museums rejected the proposal, stating that relocation would undermine the monument’s historical purpose and its connection to the communities it honored.
