130 archaeological sites transferred to Sindh government

Federal government has handed over listed 130 archaeological sites excluding Moen Jo Daro in Sindh to Sindh government and issued a notification in this respect. This was disclosed by Sindh Minister for Culture and Tourism Sassui Palejo while addressing a press conference here on Thursday along with Chief Secretary Fazlur Rehman, Secretary Culture and Tourism Shams Jaffrani and Kalim Lashari, Secretary S&GAD.
The Minister pointed out that in other countries, Archaeology is a subject handled at local level but here it is contrary. She said that these 130 are the sites, which are listed with Federal government. However this listing is very limited and still there are many more sites, which are not listed and exist in the tribal and Thar areas as well as lower and upper Sindh.
Sassui Palejo said that Sindh had always been demanding handing over of listed sites to Sindh government more in view of the fact that these were in poor conditions with no proper maintenance. She said it was ridiculous that Federal governments budget for maintenance of these 130 sites stood at only Rs 8.5 lac annually.
She called that during the Premiership of Jamali, Lahore Fort was handed over to Punjab government at their request while no action was taken on the demand made by Sindh government. The Minister said that now when these sites have been handed over to our province, the Sindh government will carry out legislation as to the preservation and maintenance of these sites.
She said that draft of the legislation has almost been prepared and will soon be sent to Law department for vetting. She said that while this notification has been issued, a very challenging task would be before the Sindh government. Palejo pointed out that since it is a specialised field, Sindh government will have a separate department for this purpose.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Secretary Fazlur Rehman said that archaeological sites would be administered, conserved and preserved by the newly created Antiquity department as its executive arm in SNG&AD and headed by Kaleem Lashari.
He said that since SNG&AD is with Chief Minister he will also be the Minister of Antiquity department. Sassui Palejo said that now long, mid and short-term projects would be prepared for conservation and preservation of Sindhs archaeological sites and the sites like Runni Kot, Lakhan Jo Daro, Khuda Bux Mosque, Mirs tombs, Shahi Masjid Thatta etc.
Sindh Secretary for Culture and Tourism Shams Jaffrani said that the department has a number of development schemes, which could not be executed including the Rs 198 million scheme for historic Runni Kot. He said these schemes would now be revised and put to implementation.
He said the culture department would carry out a province wide survey for enlistment of unlisted archaeological sites. Secretary Antiquity Department, Kaleem Lashari said that Moenjo Daro Development Authority stood disbanded after it completed its 25 years mandate and now National Fund Board is looking after the Moenjo Daro site.
Sassui Palejo said that our demand for transfer of Monjo Daro to Sindh government remains there. She said that only 10 percent of this internationally recognised site has been excavated and 90 percent remains to be excavated.