QUETTA: Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Abdul Qudoos Bizenjo inaugurated the newly constructed Mehrgarh Museum in the provincial capital on Wednesday, vowing that the government would ensure all the historical sites are preserved.

Speaking after the inauguration, he said the ancient site of Mehrgarh was considered one of the oldest civilisations in the world and highlighted the lifestyle of Balochistan.

“We are proud of having the ownership of the world’s oldest civilisation in Mehrgarh in Balochistan,” he said.

He said the government was working on a plan to construct museums in all the divisional headquarters and protect the archaeological sites in the province. However, during his visit to the newly constructed museum building, Mr Bizenjo expressed his annoyance over the poor workmanship and directed the authorities concerned to remove the defects found in the building.

He said the artefacts received from the Mehrgarh archaeology site should be carefully shifted to the museum.

Provincial Minister for Sports and Culture Abdul Khaliq Hazara, Minister for Communications Sardar Abdul Rahman Khetran, Parliamentary Secretary Khalil George, MPAs Mitha Khan Kakar, Asghar Khan Tareen and Nasarullah Khan Zerey and Secretary Culture Asghar Harifal were also present on this occasion.

Briefing the chief minister about the return of artefacts, Mr Harifal said they were carefully shifted to Quetta from Karachi.

Published in Dawn, September 29th, 2022