There exist a number of historical monuments in and around Islamabad that are in a state of neglect and disrepair.
There is the Hindu temple at Rawal Lake, Bara Dari at Kuri, Serai (inn) at Serai Kharbuza, water-well of Mughal Emperor Akbar the Great, which is not far from the Buddhist caves at Shah Allah Ditta, Buddhist monastery or tope at Tope Manikayala near Rawat, Rawat Fort, tombs of Gakhar soldiers at Batal near Darwala, mosque of Mai Qamro, tomb of Emperor Akbar’s soldier at Bagh Jogian, the fort of Hathi Khan Gakhar at Pharwala, etc.
All these monuments are crying for attention. Unfortunately, the decay and destruction of these fabulous pieces of architecture are going unnoticed. Like other monuments around Islamabad, the condition of Rawat Fort is also pathetic. It is situated some eight kilometres away from Defence Housing Authority-II (DHA II) Islamabad. The fort is believed to have been built by Sultan Sarang Khan Gakhar in the sixteenth century against the frequent attacks of Sher Shah Suri’s Afghan army.
Sultan Sarang Khan is considered to be a scion of Gakhar dynasty. He ruled over vast areas of Potohar and remained resolute against the Afghans. His resistance to the Afghan army was unflinching and unyielding. Many people in Potohar narrate the stories of his heroism and bravery. He died fighting against the army of Sher Shah Suri along with his 16 sons at the gate of the fort. Later on, he and his sons were buried inside the fort.
Today, the grave of Sultan Sarang Khan Gakhar and his sons lie in dilapidated condition. The fort that he built is also in a shambles. The southern and western ramparts of the fort have caved in. Only the eastern gate of the fort is in somewhat better condition.
There exists an octagonal mausoleum and three-domed mosque inside the fort. The tomb is a great specimen of Gakhar architecture. It has no parallel throughout Potohar region save one at Rohtas in terms of architecture. It is built on podium. The structure has four alcoves on four sides adding beauty to it. It is decorated with panels apparently created for embellishments. The dome of the tomb rests on an octagonal drum. Nothing is known who rests under the structure since there is no grave inside. It is such a huge structure that if one stands on top of it, one can clearly see Tope Manikayala.
Adjacent to the tomb is a three-domed mosque believed to have been built by Sultan Sarang Khan Gakhar. It has completely been renovated as a result of which the original beauty of the structure has been lost. The mosque is a real prototype of Mai Qamro Mosque at Bagh Jogian. Mai Qamro was probably the wife of the Gakhar chief who built the mosque. The mosque of Mai Qamro is now fast crumbling.
The authorities concerned should make efforts to save the monuments of Gakhar rulers by restoring all the structures to their past glory. It is unfortunate that despite the proximity to both Rawalpindi and Islamabad, very few tourists visit these monuments. In this regard, the authorities concerned should chalk out a strategy to attract tourists to these historical sites. If timely action is not taken we may lose the physical existence of the fort and tomb for good.
It has also been observed that vandalism of the locals continues unabated. In order to stop the destruction and defacement of these structures, the authorities should take punitive action against those responsible for damaging these historical pieces of architecture.    
Keeping in view the present population growth and flow of migrants from different parts of the country to Islamabad and Rawalpindi, in future this fort could serve as a tourist site for residents of DHA I, II, II, Bahria Town, Korang Town, Pakistan Town, PDW, Police Foundation, Society of Social Welfare, Doctors Colony, Soan Gardens, River Gardens, Jinnah Gardens, CBR, Agosh I, and Naval Anchorage in Zone-V, Islamabad.