Peshawar is home to a historical Parsi cemetery having tombs that date back to the 18th century. Located on Sunheri Masjid Road in Cantonment Board Peshawar, the graveyard comprises many cemented graves with slabs inscribing brief information about the deceased.

More than 70 graves have been preserved in the historical site as the directorate of archaeology and museums of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has declared this cemetery as a heritage site.

According to the Antiquities Act 1975, any cultural, historical, social, or religious building that is 100 years old comes under the custody of the archeology department after being declared a heritage site.

However, the officials of the cantonment board of Peshawar look after the historic cemetery as it is located inside the boundary of the board.

Bakht Mohammad, a research officer at the directorate of archaeology, told Aaj News that the cemetery was considered to be the last symbol of the Parsi community that once lived in Peshawar.

“Graves dating back to the 19th century are present here. There are inscriptions in three languages on the historical graves here,” he added.

The restoration work began following a letter by the KP’s directorate of archeology to the cantonment board of Peshawar, which highlighted the dismal condition of the cemetery, Mohammad said.

Faizan Khan Nazim, an official of the cantonment board, told Aaj News that the historical graveyard had become a safe haven for drug addicts and a junkyard for the people residing around after its boundary walls were damaged.

The rehabilitation work has now been completed and the cemetery brought to its original condition on the directions of Commander of Corps XI Lieutenant General Sardar Hassan Azhar Hayat Khan, he added.

The restoration work was completed under the supervision of Station Commander Brigadier Muhammad Usman.

The cantonment board administration rehabilitated the 1.9 acres-cemetery along with the effective reconstruction of the boundary wall, lighting, and adjacent park, besides completing the construction of a building at the back of the cemetery.

A water borehole has been dug to meet the needs of water supply to the plants in the park adjacent to the cemetery.

Cantonment board’s official Faizan Khan said that the restoration of the cemetery is a testament that Pakistan is a safe country for minorities.

The heritage site will also be opened to the public very soon, he said, while urging the Parsi community to visit the cemetery.