LASHKARGAH CITY (SW) – Residents and cultural experts in Helmand province voice concern about the “Bibi Jan” fortress in the Khanashin district, which is facing the threat of destruction.
According to historians in Helmand, this fortress has a history spanning nearly a thousand years.
Dad Mohammad, a resident of Khanashin, said, “I’ve lived in this district for nearly 12 years. The eastern parts of this fortress collapsed last year. This is a historical site that needs preservation; otherwise, it will gradually disappear.”
Mirzauddin, another resident of Khanashin, urged the de-facto government to take action to preserve this historic fortress. He stated, “Our request to the government is to pay attention and restore this historical fortress. Every year, rains and other natural events damage it. If restored, many tourists will visit this district.”
Mohammad Ismail Shariat, a historian in Helmand, emphasized the importance of historical monuments and urged both the government and citizens to make efforts to preserve them.
“It’s the government’s duty, especially the Directorate of Information and Culture, to focus on maintaining and restoring these historical monuments. Citizens also have a responsibility to help preserve these sites,” he said.
Hamdullah Mudaser, the director of historical monuments at Helmand’s Directorate of Information and Culture, mentioned that proposals have been sent to the Ministry of Information and Culture for the restoration of historic fortresses in the province.
He said, “The Bibi Jan fortress and several other historical sites have been damaged, mainly due to rain and floods. We’ve submitted restoration proposals to the Ministry of Information and Culture and hope that some of these historical sites will be restored.”
Helmand’s districts of Kajaki, Khanashin, and Dishu are home to numerous historical fortresses, many of which date back up to 2,500 years. However, due to erosion caused by floods and government neglect, they face the risk of being lost forever.
