LAHORE, Aug 23: In complete disregard to the concerns expressed by the Unesco and federal archaeology department, the Punjab government has once again appointed a DMG officer as head of the provincial archaeology department.

Auriya Maqbool Jan has replaced director-general Farzana Qureishi despite opposition by the Unesco and federal archaeology department that a professional (archaeologist) should head the department for the proper upkeep of the monuments.

Official sources said that the chief secretary issued a notification in this regard on Monday and asked Ms Qureishi to report to the S&GAD. She was from the information group. Before handing over the Lahore Fort and Shalamar Gardens to Punjab, the federal government had set a condition that a professional should be appointed as its head.

The Punjab archaeology department came into limelight after taking over the control of the fort and Shalamar Gardens last month which are on the World Heritage list. The office of its director-general is now sought after because of a huge sum in the shape of foreign aid for the upkeep of monuments.

Under the federal act, a non-archaeologist cannot head the federal archaeology department. Officials say a non-archaeologist lacks sense for preservation of monuments.

The provincial department, according to them, has already 'spoiled' the beauty of Mughal-era Shahi Hamams in Delhi Gate and Kamran Bara Dari by renovating them on 'modern pattern.' They fear that bureaucratic culture would do no justice to the conservation of 244 monuments, including the fort and Shalamar Gardens.