he recent renovation project of the historic Qissakhawani Bazaar has proved an encouraging for tourism. The locals have heaved a sigh of relief after seeing all that has changed in the bazaar following this initiative.

The storytellers’ street, popular for being the mainstay of Central Asian traders cast a huge impact on the locals as trade of local handcarts flourished. Several streets along the Qissakhawani Bazaar attracted visitors and traders in large numbers.

Walking through the famous 200-year-old Qissakhawani Bazaar is now a more relaxed experience. Tourists can catch a glimpse of the past glory and enjoy traditional foods and beverages with minimal distraction. The widened pavements, clean and smooth, allow pedestrians to enjoy a stroll through the bazaar filled with the aroma of Chapli Kebab and green tea.

Earlier, the busy Qissakhawani Bazaar was losing its charm. The sight of the street was marred by a web of overhanging electric wires, massive encroachments, crumbling wooden structures and unruly traffic jams. In the past, sseveral projects in the name of uplift had failed to restore the busy street and make it presentable.

Under the recent renovation project, encroachments were removed , the crisscross electric wires were replaced by underground power supply, the old wooden structures were painted and decorated with colourful bulbuls, all kinds of vehicular traffic was banned and standardized signboards were put up.

Local traders, residents and heritage-lovers have welcomed the renovation of Qissakhawani as a ‘boon’ and said Peshawarites will benefit from it in many ways. The residents are of the view that modern outlets should display handicrafts and traditional cuisine so that more tourists are drawn to the bazaar.

Under the recent renovation project, encroachments were removed , the crisscross electric wires were replaced by underground power supply, the old wooden structures were painted and decorated with colourful bulbuls, all kinds of vehicular traffic was banned and standardized signboards were put up.

Adeel Saeed, a well-connected journalist and a resident of Qissakhawani Bazaar, say that his forefathers had been living close to the street for over 150 years. He says they were associated with trade in handcarts and dry fruits. “Qissakhawani has nearly lost its past glory. The recent development has restored the busy street in a presentable shape,” he said.

“When my foreign tourist-friends and journalists asked me to take them to my own residence in Qissakhawani Bazaar, I would be reluctant, because the street was not worthy of a walk. Now it has become a source of pride. Qissakhawani Bazaar is the identity of the Walled City of Peshawar and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,” he says. “On Eid-ul Azha, I have invited my friends from Lahore for a walk through the Qissakhawani Bazaar. I hope the new look of the street will transport them into its past charm,” he shared.

Malik Javed, says that the renovation project has been a commendable job. However, he also says that the local traders had wanted the authorities concerned to install a panic button box alongside the road like in Lahore where emergency calls could be attended. “Electric supply should also be ensured to every single outlet. Only vehicles carrying goods for the shops in the bazaar should be allowed. After the recent initiative, Qissakhawani Bazaar has taken on an altogether new look,” he says.

Zarin Jan Khan, who owns a traditional green tea shop in the Qissakhwani Bazaar, says that his great grandfather had opened the outlet on the second floor of a British-era building. Since then, he says, his family has been in the business. “The footfall to my shop has increased significantly after the renovation,” he says. “More tourists walk up the stairs to enjoy Peshawari Sheen Chai (green tea),” he adds.

Zahidullah Shinwari, a former president of Sarhad Commerce and Industry says that the renovation of the historic Bazaar will help local traders improve their small businesses as more and more tourists turn up. “Also local traders will be the ultimate beneficiaries if tourism is promoted in the area,” he says.

“There should be zero tolerance for violations of rules regarding vehicular traffic through the street and illegal encroachments. There is a need for giving the bazaar a classic touch instead of colourful lights throughout the street,” the businessman suggests.

Local traders, residents and visitors are of the view that the authorities concerned should allocate adequate funds for maintenance, preservation and security of the pedestrian street. They say concrete measures should be taken to form a special body under the Peshawar district government to ensure tourist’s safety and preservation of the historic Qissakhawani Bazaar.

The writer is a Peshawar-based journalist. He mostly writes on art, culture, education, youth and minorities. He tweets @Shinwar-9