Multan’s Historic Tank Set to Become Rooftop Restaurant
APP
Multan: Towering above Water Works Road near the historic Ghanta Ghar, a colossal 19th-century water tank — a silent witness to generations of change — is poised to start a new chapter. Conservationists are working diligently to transform this British-era engineering marvel into a rooftop restaurant, blending heritage preservation with modern innovation.
Constructed in 1888, the same year Multan was granted Town Committee status under British colonial rule, the massive iron structure has been an enduring landmark for the city’s residents. Resting atop sturdy steel columns, the tank measures an impressive 70 feet in length and 45 feet in width, once capable of holding approximately 400,000 gallons of water.
While its imposing iron body dominates the skyline, a lesser-known fact reveals that nearly 75 percent of its foundation lies hidden beneath the earth — a testament to the strength and ambition of its Victorian-era engineers.
Assistant Director of the Walled City Project Multan, Umair Ghazanfar, confirmed that extensive conservation work is underway and is expected to be completed within four months. “Where the iron has rusted away, new plates are being installed.
We are working on two proposals — one is to convert the structure into a rooftop restaurant, and the other is to create a public viewing platform similar to the Damdama site,” he shared. “However, the priority is the rooftop restaurant, aiming to offer visitors a unique blend of heritage and a modern dining experience.”
Time and neglect have taken their toll on the tank. Once a vital component of the city’s water infrastructure, it eventually fell into disuse.
An attempt in 2012 by then-Deputy Commissioner Naseem Sadiq sought to repurpose the tank to supply water for fire brigade vehicles. However, significant leakage led to adjacent road flooding and structural damage, forcing the abandonment of the plan.
For many Multanis, the tank has been a familiar sight, yet few know the stories embedded in its iron bones. “Growing up, I always saw this tank but never knew its history,” recalled Amir Bashir, a guide with the Walled City Project. “It turns out it was a marvel of its time, equipped with motors that pumped water into its belly — and remarkably, one of those old motors still survives today.”
Today, though the tank holds no water, it remains filled with memories — memories that city planners and heritage lovers are now eager to revive. If realized, the rooftop restaurant would not only preserve the physical structure but breathe new life into it, allowing Multanis and visitors alike to dine under the stars while savoring a rich taste of history.
The effort reflects a growing recognition of Multan’s layered urban heritage — a move to honor its forgotten engineering feats and ensure that its historic heart beats anew for future generations.
