THATTA: A 37-member team of Spanish archaeologists visited historic Makli necropolis and Shahjahan Mosque on Sunday.

The visit was followed by a seminar which was attended y Sindh Minister for Culture Syed Zulfikar Ali Shah, MPA Syed Riaz Hussain Shah Shirazi, MNA Sadiq Ali Memon and the Spanish archaeologists.

Speaking at the seminar, archaeologist M. Thyman, who led the delegation, said that Makli necropolis and other archaeological sites in Sindh always offered a lot to work, adding that they would conduct a further research on these sites.

He appreciated the hospitality and cooperation extended to the team by the provincial government.

Zulfikar Shah said that most of the team members were professors at the Madrest Colsthery University of Spain with an especial interest in the field of archeology. He further said that if Mohenjo Daro airport was made functional for flight operations, this would give a boost to tourism in Sindh. “I have asked the guests to visit Bhambhore and other such sites,” the minister said, adding that such visits would present a positive image of Pakistan to the world.

Briefing the team on the significance of Makli, Khalid Chachcar said that the necropolis had been listed in the world heritage sites in 1985 and since then tourists from across the world had been visiting it for research and exploration.

He further mentioned that the culture department was highly concerned about preservation and maintenance of the site.

The archaeologists interacted with local historians to have an insight into the mausoleums of different rulers, particularly that of Jam Nizamuddin, the Samma dynasty ruler.

Published in Dawn, April 1st, 2024