IT is disappointing to observe the lack of attention towards the preservation of historical sites in Pakistan. I visited the Makli Necropolis last year and was awestruck by the beauty of its tombs, carefully carved with decorative motifs depicting the architectural style of Chaukandi. But my delight metamorphosed into grief when I entered the imposing tomb of Isa Khan II. Between the pillars stood a wall made of red bricks for support. This was an eyesore, shattering the image and the beauty of the tomb. This is not what conservation is about. You don’t just erect any wall to support a relic. There are professional ways of managing such tasks, but those running the show in our context found it appropriate to do just that.

In my own city Hyderabad, the main gate of an old fort, known as the Pucca Qilla, was destroyed recently by the labourers working at the site. This again shows the negligence and incompetence on the part of the relevant department. There was no expert or official on the day of the incident. The preservation work was being done in the absence of archaeologists and conservators on the site. The gate that had stood many a climate change and natural disaster was destroyed by the humans themselves.

Countries generally take great care of their heritage sites, museums, monuments, necropolis and historical places because they value their history and cultural relics. When it comes to Pakistan, however, that does not seem to be the case.

Saqlain Soomro
Hyderbad

Published in Dawn, October 3rd, 2021