SHC orders panel to restore, promote heritage sites

Suggests formation of dedicated force to protect tourists

KARACHI:

The Sindh High Court has ordered to form a committee for the restoration and promotion of heritage sites and to restore the colonial era clock towers of Sukkur, Hyderabad and Shikarpur.

A single bench consisting of Justice Salahuddin Panhwar issued important orders to the Culture, Tourism, Antiquities and Archives Department on a petition related to the protection of Sindh's historical places and increase in tourism activities.

Justice Salahuddin Panhwar remarked that the preservation of cultural heritage will have educational, environmental and financial benefits. Better maintenance and protection of tourist and cultural sites will increase tourism. The court ordered the formation of a committee for the restoration and promotion of historical places. The court remarked that the committee should frame its suggestions on how to facilitate foreign tourists.

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The committee should also determine the criteria for the recruitment of Grade 17 officers in the Culture Department to run the tourism force, on the pattern of K-P, to provide a safe environment to the tourists.

Personnel having information of historical places should be recruited as tour guides and training should be provided to them in three months.

The bench also ordered the establishment of information desks at 10 historical places including Bhanbhore. Culture department should introduce modern methods of providing information about Mohenjo Darro, Kot Dijji, Banbhore and Rohri Hills, SHC said.

The court ordered removal of encroachment around the Sukkur, Hyderabad and Shikarpur clock towers within two months. The court demanded a list of heritage buildings.

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Water for Gulshan-e-Jamal

A two-member bench headed by Sindh Chief Justice Aqeel Ahmad Abbasi heard the petition related to non-supply of water in Gulshan-e-Jamal.

The petitioner's counsel Usman Farooq advocate stated that the residents of Gulshan-e-Jamal pay water and conservancy tax, but they do not get water. He appealed to the court to order concerned authorities to provide a new water line for the area so that this problem can be solved.

The court sought the reply from Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation and Cantonment Board Faisal director and others on January 25.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 29^th, 2023.