World Museum Day: no function hosted by Balochistan government

On the eve of World Museum Day, Quetta museum, the only museum in Balochistan, on Monday wore deserted look and Balochistan government did not host any programme or function to mark the day.
When APP contacted the provincial cultural department officials they said that the archaeological materials, excavations and evidences, and centuries-old currencies of different countries which were displayed in Quetta museum were presently locked in boxes as the building of the museum was cracked after the October-2008 tremor which struck parts of Balochistan including the provincial capital.
They said that the cultural department had closed the cracked building of Quetta museum due to fear of any earthquake as precautionary measures because any minor jolt of tremor could collapse the building. The cultural department officials said that the department had not any proper building for Quetta museum while its building is under construction in the premises of Ayub Stadium for the last several years in the city.
Adding, the department had sent its demand for granting a building for the museum to the concerned authorities, but the demand was still in process due to red-tapism. They deplored that Quetta museum also lacked modern laboratories for spraying properly to protect archaeological stuff and materials from decaying. The officials said that Quetta museum was the only museum of the provincial government while the federal government did not have any museum in Balochistan.
They said that there were 29 safe and 600 unsafe sites for exploring thousands of years old ancient civilisations in various parts in the province. Set up in 1906, Quetta museum was shifted to Mumbai and Calcutta after 1935 earthquake in Quetta, but the materials shifted there were not moved back after partition and independence, they said while highlighting the historical background of Quetta museum.
They said that the present museum was established in 1972 where many archaeological, cultural and other historic materials were available in the museum. The provincial cultural department used to organise cultural activities and functions to celebrate the International Museum Day for creating awareness about cultural heritage among students each year, but this year the day was completely disregarded in the city.