About 3300 constructions have been declared as heritage in the province, Sindh Culture, Tourism and Antiquities Minister, Syed Sardar Ali Shah told the Sindh Assembly on Thursday, saying that now tourists can book rest houses online.
During the assembly's questions and answers session, the minister said that the government has declared 3300 buildings as heritage, adding that the UNESCO had placed Makli in the index of heritage sites in 1982. Replying to a question, he vowed that the Sindh government will continue its 'every possible' effort to preserve the heritage.
He said that the federal government allocates no funds for the conservation of heritage, which the Sindh government through its budget maintains. He said that there were fears that the UNESCO may displace Makli from its heritage index. He said that the government has also allocated budget for holding cultural events.
Sardar Shah said that the former Chief Minister Sindh had set up Rs200 million of endowment fund to help ill and financially weak intellectuals, authors and artists through a special committee. He said that the local artists have organized cultural programs in Canada, Sydney and Cairo, who are also expected to perform in many other countries next year.
He claimed that the Sindh government has revived the theatres over the past two years. The minister also told the legislature that his department is working on developing an artist directory which will include performers of different genres, besides craftswomen. He said that the government is also making efforts to revive street cultural theatres, offering one such event outside the assembly building.
He complained that Sindh Culture, Tourism and Antiquities Department's 10 years budget is less than Rs1 billion, pointing out that the department has started work to make its new tourist sites online. He said that the rest houses on tourists sites can be booked online, adding that 90 million people have watched the 3D virtual documentary of Moenjo Daro online over the past few months.
Pir Saleh Shah Jilani, who won Ps86 by-poll, took oath, which Speaker, Aga Siraj Khan Durrani administered. Jilani, who elected to the legislature on the treasury benches, thanked in his maiden speech his constituency voters. He said that the public has pinned big hopes on him and will try to win their confidence.
Chief Minister Sindh, Syed Murad Ali Shah also congratulated him and assured him that the government will do whatever possible could be to resolve Dadu problems. Opposition boycotted the oath taking of Jilani. Latter, Opposition leader in the assembly, Firdous Shamim Naqvi of PTI called the by-poll 'unfair' but congratulated the newly elected legislator for his win. The house will now meet on Monday.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2019
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