Authorities have restored a historic British-era administrative compound in Bannu after decades of neglect and partial ruin.
Built in 1852 during the tenure of British officer John Nicholson, the compound served as the main administrative and judicial center for the southern districts. Government affairs were managed from the site, while court hearings and tribal jirgas were also held there.
The complex, commonly known as the deputy commissioner’s compound, includes a courthouse, judicial buildings, a jirga hall, a guardhouse, and several government offices.
For nearly two centuries, it served as the region’s administrative center. Today, many regard it as an important example of colonial-era architecture in the Indian subcontinent.
Bannu Division Commissioner Khalid Mahmood said the restoration project cost Rs.138.4 million, with full funding provided by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government.
He said the project aimed to preserve the region’s historical heritage while making the buildings suitable for official government use.
“The Bannu historic compound is far more than a collection of bricks and stones,” Mahmood said. “It represents an important chapter in the administrative history of the subcontinent.”
He added that restoring the compound was more than an effort to revive the past. It was also a practical step toward preserving the region’s historical heritage for future generations.
Kifayatullah, a senior official at the Bannu Commissioner’s Office, said Bannu served as the administrative headquarters of present-day southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during British rule.
After Pakistan’s creation, authorities carried out little maintenance on the buildings. As a result, the complex gradually fell into disrepair. Large sections eventually turned into ruins.
Several months ago, the divisional administration launched a comprehensive restoration program. The work included structural repairs, conservation measures, and extensive renovation while retaining the compound’s original architectural character.
Authorities have equipped the restored 19th-century buildings with modern facilities while preserving their historic design.
The combination of colonial-era architecture and modern amenities has also made the compound an attractive site for visitors, historians, and heritage enthusiasts.
