LARKANA, Feb 12: The provincial government was making all out efforts to protect acheological, historic and cultural heritage sites, including Mohenjodaro, Gorikh Hill and Rani-Kot.

This was stated by Sindh Minister for Culture, Tourism and Social Welfare M.A. Rauf Siddiqui here on Monday while speaking to reporters after he arrived here by a special train from Sukkur. The minister was accompanied by adviser to the Sindh chief minister Umar Shareef.

He said the provincial government had suggested to the federal government to hand over the administrative and financial control of all such sites to the Sindh government.

He said that the government had proposed to set up the Indus Safari Park at the former dacoit sanctuary of Shah Belo near Sukkur, adding that the place was being converted into a recreational area. The private sector, he said, would be asked to develop the park.

He said that the park would generate employment opportunities for the educated youth of the upper Sindh area besides boosting the local economic activity.

Criticising the pace of excavation and other development work being carried out at Mohenjodaro, he said he would ask the federal government to probe into the funds being utilised for improving the remains of the 5,000-year-old Indus civilisation.