KARACHI, Jan 21: The Pakistan Rangers (Sindh) headquarters has clarified a news item published in Dawn on Jan 18, “Rangers reluctant to hand over ancient sculptures”, and an editorial on the issue on Jan 20.

A clarification issued on Saturday says the sculptures in question belonging to the Jain period have been lying at the Virawah post of the Rangers for the last 10 years. The Archaeology Department has been approached a number of times to take over the artefacts but have not been able to collect them, probably because of lack of appropriate means of transportation as some of the pieces are very heavy.

It is reiterated that Rangers personnel have never refused to hand over these sculptures and the delay is from the archaeology department. A letter to collect the sculptures was sent on Oct 4, 2005 to the department’s director.

Meanwhile, an interim arrangement has been mutually agreed upon. Till the time transportation can be arranged, the archaeology department will take over the sculptures in situ. The Rangers will provide the necessary guard. Necessary remedial measures will also be taken to ensure prompt reporting of discovery of historical heritage items and recovery of any sculptures still missing, if brought to the Rangers’ notice.