Protecting cultural heritage

Sindh govt has promulgated the Sindh Cultural Heritage Act under which sites and buildings are protected

One way to examine history is through ancient relics and archeological sites that provide evidence of past activity and hold precious memories. The province of Sindh is rich with such infrastructure dating back to the British colonial era and even the Mughal period. In order to preserve the region’s past heritage, the Sindh government has promulgated the Sindh Cultural Heritage (Preservation) Act under which historical sites and buildings are enlisted as ‘protected heritage’ to prevent them from being demolished, damaged or vandalised.

In this regard, the Sindh archaeology department filed a police case against two people for attempting to demolish the Tahirbhoy Muhammadali heritage building after prominent architect and researcher Marvi Mazhar highlighted the situation. The building has now been sealed by authorities until further notice. This unfortunately is not an isolated incident as many such building have been razed and destroyed to give way to modern infrastructure. Due to the lack of implementation and support, and because illegal constructions and demolitions are rampant, especially in Karachi where fight for land is fierce, such instances continue with impunity. Moreover, part of the problem is also that people are not aware of the importance of history and of preserving cultural heritage. It is much more than just aesthetic beauty. Experiencing the past gives people a sense of unity by rejuvenating individual identity and national pride. Also, understanding past events, such as the British rule in the subcontinent followed by the partition, keeps us grounded in our roots. We as a society and as a nation can thus understand the struggles our forefathers made and the legacy they left us.

In order to protect our rich history, relevant departments need to be empowered. There must be a proper monitoring mechanism in place so that such incidents are highlighted and timely action is taken. The government can also think of turning these locations into mini-museums to help generate revenue.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 1^st, 2022.

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