DURING my visit to the Pakistan Geological Survey Museum, Quetta, I wrote in the visitors’ book: “I am proud of my country and my province with retrospective effect, i.e., the day the earth was created. And I have many reasons for that”. It is no exaggeration that given the fossil and mineral wealth and the cultural heritage, both tangible and intangible, Balochistan has genuinely contributed its due share in making Pakistan a superpower, besides others, in the field of culture and heritage.

Are we not convinced that one of the distinguished cradles of early civilisation (nine to 11,000 years old) found in Balochistan, is Pakistan’s foremost archaeological site of international value. Unfortunately, textbooks and curriculum, both at national and provincial levels, are  silent. Can we afford to discard our strength branding it trivial simply because it comes from Balochistan?

How come we promote national integration without the policy of inclusion and appreciating cultural diversity which is the essence of unity?

AYUB BALOCH Quetta