• Unesco seeks record of renovations at Mohra Moradu and Sirkap, warns of their relegation to ‘danger list’
• Punjab archaeology department defends ‘interventions’ as conservation measures to protect vulnerable archaeological remains
ISLAMABAD: The UN’s cultural arm, Unesco, has asked the government to reverse the “reconstructions” that undermined the integrity of two historical sites in Taxila, warning that a failure to take such action would result in their being placed on the agency’s ‘danger list’.
Sources in the Ministry of National Heritage and Culture told Dawn that, in a recent meeting on the issue, Unesco told senior government officials that it had “delisted” a World Heritage Site in Germany and would not hesitate to “delist” Taxila over the recent “unnecessary interventions” that compromised the integrity and authenticity of these places. It said the UN agency would “delist” Taxila from its World Heritage List if the actions were not reversed.
The issue came into the spotlight in March after a third party shared information and pictures with Pakistan’s Permanent Delegate to Unesco in Paris, highlighting reconstruction works by the Punjab archaeology department at Mohra Moradu and Sirkap.
The visitor observed interventions that could affect the authenticity and integrity of the property, specifically original walls being replaced with new construction or their height being raised.
Subsequently, Unesco cautioned that unnecessary interventions compromised the authenticity and integrity of these sites and could put them at risk of being placed on the Unesco ‘danger list’.
Photos seen by Dawn showed that fresh masonry works had replaced some ancient walls. In some instances, reconstruction was carried out to increase the height of the walls “in the name of conservation”, but it was easy to discern between old stones — which are irregular in size — and modern building material, which seems polished and uniform in size.
Technical visit
Against this controversy, a joint technical visit was conducted on June 12 by Unesco, the Department of Archaeology and Museums (DOAM), and the Ministry of National Heritage and Cultural Division to Taxila Museum.
During the visit, the Punjab archaeology department had arranged a presentation for the delegation to justify their stance.
Unesco had requested the specific documentation regarding Mohra Moradu and Sirkap pertaining to the conservation and restoration works, the official said, adding that it also sought copies of the heritage impact assessment report, comprehensive photographic documentation of the archaeological structures before and after restoration, and drawings of the proposed intervention in the core zone and the buffer zone of Mohra Moradu.
The team also sought laboratory test reports of materials used in conservation works and compatibility studies of new materials with original fabric, besides asking for any archaeological excavation/investigation report and archival research study. “The Punjab archaeology department has not responded yet,” an official told Dawn.
“Restoration and using cement to erect walls of World Heritage sites is a serious violation of Unesco rules for conservation of archaeological monuments of historical value. This weakens Pakistan’s position, which is endeavouring to have 24 more sites of historical importance included in Unesco’s World Heritage list since 1997,” the official added.
The request from DOAM to enlist Rani Ghat and Bhanbhore had been accepted by Unesco, said the sources, adding that the Unesco World Heritage Committee meeting was scheduled in the third week of this month, where this controversy could hurt Pakistan’s chances for fresh sites.
‘Inaccurate characterisation’
When contacted, Punjab archaeology department Director General Malik Zaheer Abbas said that characterising the ongoing work at Sirkap and Mohra Moradu as “reconstruction” was not accurate.
“The interventions being undertaken are conservation measures based on internationally accepted conservation principles, with the primary objective of stabilising vulnerable archaeological remains, preventing further deterioration, and preserving the authenticity and integrity of these World Heritage properties,” the senior official said.
During a recent visit by international and national experts, the delegation was provided with a comprehensive technical briefing on the ongoing works “since we believe in transparency and accountability”, he said.
The DG said the delegation was able to inspect the sites and engage in detailed discussions with the conservation team.
“At present, there is no question of ‘reversing reconstruction’ because the works are conservation interventions, not reconstruction,” the official said.
This is not the first time a site of historical significance has been under threat of being relegated to the “danger list”. In 1998, Bhir Mound, adjacent to the Taxila Museum, was placed on the list after then PML-N MNA Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan approved the construction of a stadium at the site. After an outcry, the project was later shelved.
Published in Dawn, July 2nd, 2026