Renowned historian and researcher Prof Dr Ghulam Mustafa Shar has revealed that only eight per cent of the ancient archaeological site Mohenjo Daro has been excavated, with the vast majority still unexplored. He made these remarks during a lecture at the University of Sindh's Institute of Sindhology in Jamshoro. The event was organised in collaboration with the M H Panhwar Institute of Studies.
Dr Shar highlighted the immense potential for new discoveries through further excavation. He added that Mohenjo Daro is not merely a site of historical interest, but a treasure trove of ancient knowledge and cultural sophistication. "Mohenjo Daro isn't just an archaeological site; it is a living archive of knowledge that reflects the grandeur, intellect, and cultural brilliance of ancient Sindh," he added.
Challenging conventional views, Dr Shar argued that the language of Mohenjo Daro was neither Dravidian nor related to any known script but was a unique local language that remains undeciphered. He called for a re-evaluation of the site's historical importance, highlighting its advanced system of knowledge, technical education, social structure, and trade networks.
He urged the government to allocate increased funding for scientific research at the site and advocated for global recognition of Mohenjo Daro's significance as a centre of ancient learning and innovation.
Speaking at the same event, University of Sindh Vice Chancellor Dr Khalilur Rehman Khoumbhati lamented the lack of academic research into Sindh's history, particularly its post-partition period. He pointed to a shortage of credible reference material and stressed the need for collaborative research efforts. Dr Khoumbhati called upon the Sindh Culture Department to take a more active role in promoting historical scholarship.
He also announced that, in partnership with the Abdul Majid Bhurgri Institute, efforts are underway to preserve and promote the Sindhi language in the era of artificial intelligence. As part of these initiatives, the University of Sindh will begin issuing academic degrees in both English and Sindhi. Although the policy for bilingual degrees had previously been approved, it had not been implemented until now, he said.
The lecture was attended by a number of prominent scholars and academics, including Director of the Institute of Sindhology Ghulam Murtaza Siyal, former Vice Chancellor of the Shaheed Allah Bakhsh Soomro University of Art, Design and Heritage Dr Bhai Khan Shar, Dr Fayaz Latif Chandio, Dr Riazat Buriro, Dr Wazir Ali Baloch, Prof Dr Lachhman Das Dhomeja, and Sajid Qayoom Memon, among others.This synchronised campaign of digital disinformation using a Chinese social media platform to undermine China's $65 billion investment is a clear act of hybrid warfare. CPEC is a lifeline for Pakistan's economy and the flagship project of China's massive Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), and any threat to this colossal project should be a joint responsibility.
There is a need for collaborative efforts in different domains to counter the weaponization of TikTok by Baloch groups. On the diplomatic level, Pakistan should engage with China to raise concerns regarding the exploitation of TikTok's algorithm against CPEC. The two countries can set up a joint "tech task force" to oversee all CPEC-related digital security matters and coordinate a joint response. On operational level, joint intelligence-sharing mechanisms could be established to track and analyse the origin and spread of anti-CPEC content. For this purpose, cyber surveillance capabilities should be enhanced to monitor radical online activities in real time.
The two countries should also collaborate on academic research to study hybrid warfare, digital propaganda, and their implications for national security. They can engage pro-CPEC influencers to blunt extremist narratives besides establishing partnerships with fact-checking organisations to debunk fake news and disinformation campaigns against CPEC.
On the monitoring front, efforts should be made to identify and expose foreign digital interference aimed at magnifying anti-CPEC sentiments. Relentless attribution of hostile actors - whether state or non-state - should be made part of the national cyber defence strategy.
On the part of TikTok, a local content moderation team should be set up in Pakistan to flag and take down harmful content swiftly. Accounts affiliated with banned groups such as BLA and BYC should be identified and blocked in coordination with Pakistani authorities. AI-driven tools could also be implemented to detect and neutralise emerging digital threats against CPEC.
On China's part, effective steps need to be taken to address the algorithmic vulnerabilities of TikTok, ensuring that it doesn't amplify radical or anti-CPEC narratives.
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