LARKANA: The National Fund for Moenjodaro (NFM)’s technical consultative committee (TCC) is likely to be entrusted with chalking out a plan for further excavation of the Moenjodaro ruins and taking Unesco on board.

This was stated by Archaeology and Museum director-general Qasim Ali Qasim while briefing Pakistan Peoples Party patron in-chief Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, who visited the site along with Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah and Adviser on Culture Sharmila Farooqui, on Wednesday.

Mr Bhutto-Zardari was informed that about hindrances in undertaking further excavation. “We are already facing great difficulties in conserving and taking care of the 10 per cent of the ruins already excavated due to salinity,” officials of the archaeology department said.

He asked a question about merits of further excavation, Mr Qasim replied this would help deciphering the ancient language and understanding other things like the religion and rituals of the region’s inhabitants.

Mr Qasim told Dawn that hypothesis regarding language and religion could also be resolved if further excavation was carried out.

Mr Bhutto-Zardari called for full-time teaching of archaeology at all universities in Sindh and establishing their links and network with relevant experts associated with foreign universities with the aim of getting more people trained in the subject and addressing the issue of a dearth of trained people.

Mr Qasim quoted the PPP chief as telling him that he wanted to evolve a ‘cultural triangle’ comprising Larkana (Moenjodaro), Khairpur (Kot Diji) and Sukkur (Sadh Belo). This would facilitate tourists’ travel into and between the three great archaeological sites. In the event of a big increase in tourist volume, private sector could be invited to develop hotels for them, Mr Bhutto-Zardari said.

Development schemes

The PPP chairman on Wednesday chaired a meeting at Naudero House and reviewed the pace of ongoing development schemes in Larkana and Qambar-Shahdadkot districts.

Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah, MNA Faryal Talpur, Senior Minister for Education Nisar Ahmed Khuhro, Minister for Works and Services Mir Hazar Khan Bijarani, Sindh Assembly Speaker Agha Siraj Durrani, MNAs Ayaz Soomro and Nazeer Ahmed Bughio, and Larkana commissioner as well as deputy commissioners of Larkana and Sukkur attended the meeting, sources said.

MNA Ayaz Soomro, who is also chairman of the district development committee, briefed the participants about progress of work.

Later, Mr Bhutto-Zardari distributed compensation cheques to the heirs of the nine deceased and families of 30 injured victims of the recent Thull train blast.