The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has responded to reports claiming a World War I-era memorial in Islamabad was being demolished, saying the structure is not being torn down but relocated as part of a conservation plan.
In its clarification, the CDA said the memorial is being shifted to a more suitable and secure location with better public access so its historical value can be preserved and maintained more effectively.
The authority maintained that the move is being carried out under established conservation principles, rejecting the impression that the monument is being removed permanently.
The CDA said the memorial was dismantled carefully under a formal conservation protocol, with original bricks and other materials preserved to allow it to be reconstructed in the same form. Officials added that the monument’s condition had worsened over time, and relocating it would enable stronger protection and long-term upkeep.
Addressing questions over heritage status, the CDA stated that while the memorial was not formally included in the Department of Archaeology’s official heritage list, consultations were still held with relevant departments and legal requirements were fulfilled.
The authority also said it obtained consent from the memorial’s legal heir, adding that the deceased’s great-grandson provided an affidavit and a no-objection certificate.
According to the CDA, the memorial will be reinstalled under its supervision at a prominent and secure roundabout near Rehara village, close to the Northern Bypass, where the public will be able to access it more easily and where it can be displayed with “appropriate respect.”
The authority also argued that relocating historic structures due to development needs is a recognized global practice, citing examples such as the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse in the United States and other well-known relocations and reconstructions in the United Kingdom.
The CDA said the memorial honors Subedar Ghulam Ali’s service in World War I and his Military Cross award, and that its significance will remain intact after the move. Calling “demolition” claims baseless, the CDA urged media outlets to verify facts before publishing to avoid the spread of misinformation.