MIRPURKHAS, Oct 18: President, Sami Samaj Sujag Sangat, Ghulam Mustafa Khoso, residents and shopkeepers have termed the notices issued by Mukhtiarkar for removing encroachments near protected area of historical monument Umerkot Fort as illegal.
Ghulam Mustafa Khoso of Sami Samaj Sujag Sangat, affected persons Sufi Azam, Adam Khan, Mohammad Arshad, Waseem, told reporters at Umerkot on Thursday, that they were issued notices by Mukhtiarkar Umerkot for removing shops and houses situated near Umerkot Fort, keeping in view the suo motu notice taken by the Supreme Court.
They said there was no mention in order to remove the shops and houses situated at the distance of 200 feet of the monuments. They lamented that taking the benefit of suo motu notice of Supreme Court, the Director General Archaeology Department Sindh had ordered the concerned officials in all cities and towns to demolish the buildings situated near the monuments.
They said before the enactment of Antiquity Act 1975, they had acquired ownership rights or approval for construction of houses and shops. They further said the Antiquity Act says that for construction of new building approval should be taken from the concerned department.
They pointed out the DCO office Umerkot and other government offices were also situated in the protected area. They pointed out that under construction District Council Plaza at the western side would also affect the view and beauty of historical fort and added that why this construction was being carried out by the district government.
While quoting Speaker Sindh Assembly Syed Muzaffar Hussain Shah, they claimed he had told them that Umerkot Fort was not the property of Archaeological Department but of Sindh government.
They further pointed out that the Mono Technical Training Centre Umerkot was near birth place of Mughal Emperor Akbar, while some other government buildings near Moomal Ji Mari also come under the protected area. They questioned as to why before demolition of those government buildings common citizens were being made shelter less and deprived of their businesses?
