SHANGLA: Local archaeologists and civil society members here on Thursday criticised the archaeology department and district administration for not taking steps for the protection of archaeological sites and sculptures in Shangla from being defaced by the local people.

They told mediapersons here that Shangla had many sites of the Gandhara civilisation, particularly the stone-carved Buddha statues, but neither the provincial archaeology department nor district administration had taken steps for their preservation and protection.

Ijaz Hassan, an archaeologist from Puran tehsil, said that there were two large and five small Buddha statues at Doma Domai site, which had not been preserved or protected from the people. He claimed he had witnessed a group of people at Doma Domai area of Puran harming the stone-carved sculptures.

On the request of civil society members, regional officer of the archaeology department accompanied by AC Puran and revenue staff visited the site on Wednesday and met the local people.

The officials showed interest in preservation of the sites and protection of the sculptures.

Israruddin, a resident, said the archaeology department should excavate and preserve these sites and open them for religious tourism which would help the government in generating revenue and provide job opportunities to local people.

Niazur Rehman, regional officer at the archaeology department, told this scribe he along with AC Puran visited the site. He said that he was preparing a report on the issue and action would be taken against those involved in defacing the statues.

Published in Dawn, March 5th, 2021

Opinion

Editorial

Border clashes
19 May, 2024

Border clashes

THE Pakistan-Afghanistan frontier has witnessed another series of flare-ups, this time in the Kurram tribal district...
Penalising the dutiful
19 May, 2024

Penalising the dutiful

DOES the government feel no remorse in burdening honest citizens with the cost of its own ineptitude? With the ...
Students in Kyrgyzstan
Updated 19 May, 2024

Students in Kyrgyzstan

The govt ought to take a direct approach comprising convincing communication with the students and Kyrgyz authorities.
Ominous demands
Updated 18 May, 2024

Ominous demands

The federal government needs to boost its revenues to reduce future borrowing and pay back its existing debt.
Property leaks
18 May, 2024

Property leaks

THE leaked Dubai property data reported on by media organisations around the world earlier this week seems to have...
Heat warnings
18 May, 2024

Heat warnings

STARTING next week, the country must brace for brutal heatwaves. The NDMA warns of severe conditions with...