Sindh to have its own archaeology lab
By: Ramzan Chandio | Published: January 17, 2010

KARACHI - Sindh Government will establish a scientific laboratory to study the history of the archaeological sites and historical monuments of Sindh as the department concerned has no such facility at present.Minister Sassui Palijo revealed this while addressing the Press Conference at Mumtaz Mirza Auditorium on Saturday. She said that the Sindh CM Qaim Ali Shah has also approved financial support in this regard. “Due to absent of this facility, Sindh Govt had to send the historical and archaeological monuments Italy or Atomic Energy Commission Laboratory to analyse their history”, she said. Secretary Culture and Tourism Shams Jaffrani and Director General Culture Muhammad Ali Manjhi were also present in the Press Conference. Ms Palijo who was Minister for Culture and Tourism Department, but the Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah Friday reshuffled in cabinet replacing portfolio of the then Information Minister Shazia Marri with Sassui. She briefed about the projects initiated by her Department during the two-year period, hoping that new tourism minister would work to promote the tourism in province. Palijo said that Sindh government had notified the formation of ‘Management Boar for archaeological sites and historical monuments in Sindh’ under her authority with terms of reference to arrange for conduct of survey, documentation and conducting of research, and to work for preservation and restoration of sites. She claimed that projected initiated and completed during her ministerial tenure are more than which had been done during the last five-year period of previous government. She also lamented the shortages and delaying tactics in releasing of funds. According to her, to make Keenjhar Lake a tourist resort of international standards, it has been decided to develop it through Public-Private Partnership.

The consultants have prepared feasibility report, under which 750 acres of land covering about 8km shore line of lake will be developed. Under the Project the resort will consist of convention centre, five star hotel, golf club, water sports and residential/commercial area. The bids will be invited next month and project will be completed within 3 years. In order to make it eco-friendly project, all stakeholders including, environment department and WWF have been taken onboard. In order to check unplanned inhabitation near the proposed site of project, a ban has been imposed on allotment of land.

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