QUETTA, Nov 29: The leader of opposition in the Balochistan Assembly, Mr. Kachkol Ali, has criticized the government for not taking steps to introduce historical forts and the cultural heritage of the province at international level.

He said in a statement issued here that the Mehar Garh archaeological site was 9,000 years old and the Chakar Fort in Sibi and Puno Qila in Turbat had historical importance.

He said that the federal government was spending billions of rupees on the preservation of ancient buildings, forts and other archaeological sites in Sindh, Punjab and the NWFP but had taken no step in this regard in Balochistan.

"Due to the government's negligence the historic places in Balochistan are in a bad condition," the opposition leader. He said even a road had not be constructed up to the archaeological site in Mehar Garh, Bolan district, for archaeologists.

He appealed to the federal and provincial governments to take notice of negligence of the officials of the departments concerned. He said the federal ministry concerned should make arrangements for introducing the cultural heritages of Balochistan at the international level.

MAN SHOT DEAD: Bandits killed a man and injured his wife in Sibi when the latter resisted them on Saturday night. Police said the robbers had entered the house of one Wali Mohammad Abro, who woke up and challenged them. The dacoits opened fire, killing Wali Mohammad and injuring his wife. The dacoits escaped. Police took the woman to the civil hospital and registered a case.