TAXILA, Jan 22: The federal archaeology department is making all-out efforts to protect the ancient sites in Taxila and Hassanabdal from encroachments but all its attempts are going down the drain due to non-cooperation from the police and the revenue department.

Around 50 internationally acclaimed sites dating back to the Buddhist, Mughal and Colonial eras are located in the two towns and some of them have been declared 'World Heritage Sites' by the USESCO whereas the Pakistani government notified them as 'protected sites' under the Antiquities Act 1975.

Official sources and documents available with this reporter reveal that there are over two dozen ancient sites in Taxila and Hassanabdal which are under threat from the influential encroachers including Sarai Khola, Bhir Mound, Nicholson monument, Wah Gardens and Lala Rukh tomb in Hassanabdal.

It is important to mention that Section 22 of the Antiquities Act 1975 prohibits any structure or construction within 200 feet of the protected sites.

It may be recalled here that the Supreme Court of Pakistan on August 6, 2007 ordered removal of all encroachments in and around the archeological sites throughout the country. Subsequently all the provincial chief secretaries were directed by the federal government with regard to the court's directives. Thereafter, archaeology department sub regional Office Taxila started consultation with the police and revenue department to clear the encroachments, illegal constructions and illegal possession of official land from different ancient sites.

The department wrote many letters to the police and the revenue department but nothing tangible could be done so far in this regard.

When contacted Dy Director Department of Archaeology and Museum Bhadur Khan said that the local court issued stay orders in the favour of the department but the people having political backing flouted the court orders and the police also took no action against them.