HISTORY and heritage have been contested areas in Pakistan – myopic segments either hatch false narratives and disputes or usurp a site’s identity and land. The tide will not turn on the fate of antiquities if malignity and desultory practices continue to plague them. A few weeks ago, the conservation of Sphola Stupa in Khyber Pass was suspended after a portion of it caved in due to ‘illegal’ rock blasting for road construction. The repair and preservation of the historic relic with a path leading to the top of the mound is a part of a tourist trail project by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Integrated Tourism Plan. The second century stupa, built in the Kushan period, was the most perfect Buddhist monument in the area. Moreover, some 130 antiquated sites were identified in Landi Kotal in a 2015 survey by the directorate of archaeology and museums. In these modern times, when the world is investing in heritage economy, such foul disregard speaks volumes about our mindset.

What will it take for authorities to realise that Pakistan’s archaeological and historic reserves are a lot more than mere markers of time? The purpose of our syncretic inheritance stretches beyond sightseeing; it can expand prospects for scholars, archaeologists, historians and researchers from across the globe, translating into a prodigious religious, educational and regular tourism industry. But this requires a long-term resolve to safeguard every shred of heritage. Egypt, for instance, has used its wonders for monetary gains with efficient marketing strategies. Preserving heritage for a viable future — and richer experiences which can push the country on to the global stage as a multifaceted destination — is not possible without a commitment from the government to save and monetise history. What’s more the prevalent agendas to erase a collective relationship with the past through bigoted, one-sided records should be neutralised with awareness, security and accountability.

Published in Dawn, January 7th, 2024