KARACHI, May 5: The eminent scholars and educationists have expressed concern over the destruction of archeological and historical sites in Sindh and stressed the need for a concrete policy to safeguard the cultural heritage of the province.

They demanded that all archeological sites and monuments may be handed to the provincial government for their protection and upkeep in the future.

This demand was made in one of the resolutions adopted at the concluding session of the four-day international conference on Sindh-“Past, present and future” and released to the press on Thursday.

Highlighting the need for understanding pre-historic Sindh, the conference by another resolution said new discovery of archeological sites in Sindh had laid foundation for further research on the rich culture and heritage of the province.

Demanding rehabilitation of Rani Kot and other forts of Sindh which have great cultural and historical significance, the conference observed that due to neglect these forts were in deteriorating condition.

The conference expressed concern over deteriorating situation of education in Sindh, specifically of primary education system in the rural Sindh and warned that unless due attention was paid, the future of higher learning for new generation would remain bleak. The resolution also called for paying more attention to women’s education.

Pointing out that teaching of Sindhi language in private schools and colleges was being meted out a step motherly treatment which hampers the growth of education system and its literature, the conference called upon the authorities to look into it and ensure due right of Sindhi language.

By another resolution the moot stressed the need to re-write the history of Sindh on scientific and analytical basis and demanded constitution of a Sindh history commission and establishment of a bureau of translation.

The conference also noted that the economy of Sindh was deteriorating and poverty was on the rise, it demanded of the government to pay a serious attention to the situation before the socio-economic structure crumbles down.

The resolution regarding water crisis in Sindh pointed out that during this Kharif season all the three barrages in the province were facing 50 per cent shortage of water causing a huge decline in the agricultural productivity which would add further to the poverty and unemployment.