SHANGLA: Archaeological sites in Sarkol area of Chakesar tehsil would be preserved with the help of experts, said Assistant Commissioner Mohammad Hamid Saddiqui.

He told journalists on Sunday that there were a lot of myths regarding presence of antiques at several sites in the area. He said that the administration had approached archaeology department to conduct a survey of the area and share its findings with the authorities concerned.

The official said that archaeology department had already sent a team for the survey.

He said that he himself visited several places along with the survey team. He said that experts had found remains of Gandhara civilisation in Sarkol union council.

He said they were committed to preserving and exploring the sites to promote religious tourism in the area. The team of the archaeology department briefed the tehsil administration office that the sites would be excavated and preserved as there were signs of Gandhara civilisation.

The assistant commissioner said that he would utilise all his available resources to preserve the archaeological sites. He said that he would propose establishment of a museum and archaeological map of Chakesar for tourists.

SHOPS: The assistant commissioner also sealed three shops and imposed fines on others for violating official price list.

He visited Danakol and Shalmanu bazaars and checked the prices of commodities and hygiene condition of shops. He imposed fines on several shopkeepers and sealed three shops for violating official price list.

MINERS: Two more bodies of coal miners were brought to Shangla on Sunday.

They were buried in their ancestral graveyard. Six bodies of coal miners have been brought to Shangla in the current week.

Shangla Coalmine Workers Association president Abid Yar told Dawn that Said Wahid of Banar Khwargai died in a mine in Dara Adamkhel while Shah Rehman, a resident of Basi, was killed in Mach, Balochistan.

Published in Dawn, August 21st, 2023