THATTA, Feb 15: The district’s literary circles have demanded revival of Thatta Heritage Society (THS), which had been established in 2004 with the objective to help preserve the city’s historical heritage by publication of a series of books on history and construction of a library and museum.

Academicians and intellectuals including Ghulam Hussain Rangrez, Dr Mohammad Ali Manjhi, Apa Maryam Majidi and Aziz Jafferani, who were members of the society, told Dawn that the society had planned to publish 14 books on history, literature and national heritage, besides constructing a library and a museum at Makli, but it could not realise its aims for a variety of reasons.

Dr Kaleem Lashari, the then director of archives, said that the decision to publish books on "Archaeological Sites of Thatta," "Calligraphers of Thatta," "Kalam dar Madeh-i-Thatta,” "Tazkara-i-Sindh" and books on the four dynasties i.e. Soomras, Samas, Arghuns, Tarkhans and Mughals and Kalhoras was taken in a meeting presided over by Dr Nawaz Shouq, chairman of THS publication committee in April 2005. But the decision too was not implemented, he said.

The books were to be launched during an international seminar, which was planned to be convened in Thatta, he added.

District Nazim Syed Shafqat Hussain Shah Shirazi had allocated special funds for the museum and library and laid the foundation stone for their buildings at Makli in January 2005. However, there has been no progress on the project since then.

DDO (revenue) Hadi Bux Kalhoro, who is secretary of the THS, said that the society had already purchased important books worth Rs1 million, but they had to be dumped in the revenue department office till the library building was constructed.

DCO Usman Panhwar was not available for comment.

The academicians said that the revival of the society would serve academic causes and help divert younger generation towards literary pursuits.