THATTA, April 14: The Thatta Heritage Society will publish fourteen books on history, literature and heritage of the district by October this year. This was informed by Dr Nawaz Ali Shauq , chairman publication committee of the society at a meeting here on Wednesday.

Former Sindh archaeology department director-general, Ahmed Nabi Khan, presided over the meeting. Dr Shauq said the books included "Archaeological sites of Thatta", by Dr Asma Ibrahim, "Calligraphers of Thatta", "Kalam Madah Thattvi", "Kalam Akbar Qazi", "Tazkara-i-Shah Murad Shirazi" and others.

He said they dealt with dynastic history of Soomras (1050- 1351), Samas (1351-1521), Arghuns, Tarkhans and Mughals (1521- 1718) and Kalhoras (1718-1782). Dr Shauq said the books comprised updated research papers of scholars and writers on Makli necropolis, Bhambhore remains and Shahjehan Mosque.

The meeting decided that an international seminar on Thatta would be held in October this years. The meeting constituted a committee headed by Thatta Heritage Society secretary Dr Mohammad Ali Manjhi to prepare a report for the establishment of a museum in Thatta.

The meeting expressed concern over the looting of precious stones, relics and antiques from various archeological sites and stressed for adequate preventive measures.

The participants of the meeting visited Minkali temple after which Makli hill terrain is named. DCO Thatta Ishaque Lashari, Hadi Bux Kalhoro, Prof Dost Mohammad Qureshi, Aziz Jafrani and others attended the meeting.

WINE SEIZED: A police team raided a narcotic den in Ward-1 of the town and recovered 500 litres locally-made wine, 300 gram hashish, one pistol and five cartridges. The team arrested Shamoo Shah, Agha Shah, Wazir Shah and Mairaj Shah.