Sindh govt grants heritage status to a dog's grave in Kirthar Region

The Sindh government has approved the designation of a dog's grave as a protected heritage site, following a meeting of the Department of Culture’s advisory committee.

The meeting, chaired by Sindh Chief Secretary Asif Haider Shah, included key officials such as Secretary of Culture Hamid Haroon, Kalimullah Lashari, and representatives from the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA).

During the meeting, the committee reviewed several buildings declared as heritage sites by the culture department.

Notably, the grave of a dog in Qambar Shahdadkot was among the sites approved for protected heritage status, alongside other historical locations across Sindh.

The Chief Secretary directed SBCA officials to seek the opinion of the culture department before declaring any building as dangerous, ensuring that heritage sites are preserved.

Other notable approvals included the ancient Mukhtiarkar office in Naushahro Feroze, the old Civil Court in Rohri, the 1908 Inspection Bungalow in Kandhkot, Cantonment Quarters, and Karachi’s Parsi Institute compound, which includes Jahangir Kothari Hall and Katrak Swimming Bath.

Additionally, the Syed Hashmi Reference Library in Malir has also been given heritage status.

Previously, the Sindh government introduced significant fee cuts for filming, drama production, commercial videos, photography, and bridal shoots at cultural and historical sites throughout the province.

Led by Provincial Minister for Culture and Tourism, Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah, this initiative is designed to make heritage locations more accessible to filmmakers and visitors alike, showcasing and promoting the rich cultural heritage of Sindh.

The move is expected to attract greater interest in the province's iconic sites while boosting tourism.

The area called ‘Kutte ki Qabar’ part of Kirthar Mountains, located on the border of Sindh and Balochistan has become the subject of dispute between the two provinces with both claiming it to be theirs.

Sindh’s senior minister Nisar Ahmed Khuhro has stated that Kutte ki Qabar was part of Sindh and will always remain its part. Named after a folk story of a Brahui man and his loyal dog, Kutte ki Qabar also known as Kutte ji Qabar and Kuchak na Qabar, became part of Sindh during the British rule.

Khuhro supported his argument with the 1876 Gazette saying that this portion of land, which spread to almost 250,000 acres, was part of Sindh.

Furthermore, Khuhro stated that there would be no compromise on the issue. He said that Kutte ki Qabar was added in Sindh’s territory by the British, and was also cited as part of Sindh in the Survey of Pakistan, adding that Balochistan’s claim over it was beyond his understanding.