Culture department signs MoU with Italy to conduct research

We can expect a major breakthrough from this intervention, says minister

KARACHI: The culture, tourism and antiquities department and Italian government signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Wednesday to preserve and conduct research on two heritage sites, Ranikot and Kot Diji Fort.
On behalf of the department, Director-General Manzoor Ahmed Kanasro and Italian archaeological mission head and physicist Professor Mario Pianccentini signed the MoU. The MoU signing ceremony was attended by Culture Minister Syed Sardar Ali Shah, Consul General of Italy Dr Gianluca Rubagotti, Culture Secretary Akbar Laghari and former archaeology secretary Dr Kaleemullah Lashari.



Shah said that nobody knows the accurate history of the Ranikot Fort, hence it is essential to conduct research to find out. "We can expect a major breakthrough from this intervention, which would help trace the history of the fort, which is also called the Great Wall of Sindh," he said.
The minister added that the three-year MoU also aims to develop a common programme for training young officers of the department.
Shah said that a five-member archaeologist team from Italy will start work from the first week of December, adding that the media would be informed regarding the progress of the project. "So far the age of the Ranikot Fort is a mystery and through this MoU, we will get good news," he said.