Workers move heavy lights near the stupa of Moenjo Daro, a world heritage site, with metal pylons for the upcoming Sindh Festival visible in the background. PHOTO: APP
Three days before the ‘cultural coup’ in Sindh is scheduled to kick off, civil society members write to Unesco to save the inauguration site - Moen Jo Daro - from further destruction.
The brainchild of Pakistan Peoples Party patron-in-chief Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Sindh Festival, will start from February 1. The historical site of Moen Jo Daro was chosen for the inauguration ceremony and preparations are already under way.
if u would like 2 volunteer 2 help me preserve,promote&protect Sindhs heritage email festivalsindh@gmail.com 2/2 pic.twitter.com/ArGinZbphE
— BilawalBhuttoZardari (@BBhuttoZardari) November 21, 2013
A group of archaeologists, historians, academia, civil society leaders and writers of Sindh have requested Unesco to intervene and save Moen Jo Daro from further destruction.
“The organisers of this event are not aware how this kind of an event can damage our archaeological assets, history, culture and art of the province,” said a letter written to Unesco country representative, Kozue Kay Nagata. “We appreciate the effort to revitalise the long-lost culture but it should not be done at the cost of destroying the ruins and structure of the site.”
Ishtiaq Ansari, Badar Abro, Hakim Ali Shah Bukhari, Khalid Hashmani, Zulfiqar Halepoto, Aziz Narejo, Dr Ali Gul Metlo, Munir Bhurgari, Ali Palh and Shuja Qureshi are among the signatories of the letter. The archaeological ruins of Moen Jo Daro are declared one of the greatest and precious cultural heritage of human civilisation. The site was inspected by a Unesco team in 1980 and was declared as the greatest heritage site to be preserved and protected.
These people shared their grievances soon after the preparations of the inauguration ceremony began. Labourers have been hired to build a massive stage and poles and tents have been erected around the site so that shops can be set up for the festival. “Live musical and dance programmes will be held on this site where thousands of people are expected to attend,” pointed out Halepoto. “This can ruin the site.”
Copies of this letter have also been shared with Bilawal, his father and former president Asif Ali Zardari and other PPP leaders. “This is not a promotion or celebration of culture. This is complete destruction and madness and it must stop without any further delay,” the letter stated, urging Unesco officials to talk to the provincial government and stop the non-technical labour from carrying out further construction.
These archaeologists and writers have also sought Unesco’s support for a more intense conservation plan to save the site and promote it as a wonder of the ancient world that seems to have been forgotten.
The letter also pointed out that nearly $23 million were generated through the ‘Save Moenjodaro’ international campaign, jointly run by the federal government and Unesco, but very little is known about how the money was used.
In defense
Culture secretary Saqib Soomro termed the accusations in the letter as mere speculation. Everything is a ‘makeshift arrangement’ and no one is digging to erect electric poles, he said, adding that only a few people have been invited to the event to raise funds for Moen Jo Daro conservation.
“Every day we hear of blasts and hardly hear any good news,” he said. “This is an excellent opportunity, which is being opposed by some people for their vested interests.”
Glad to see such high profile attention to #Moenjodaro by the party which rules Sindh. Hope thy work to save it. pic.twitter.com/ko4Ih7HOAm
— Raza Ahmad Rumi (@Razarumi) October 17, 2013
Archaeology director Qaim Ali Qasim also told The Express Tribune that he has been personally monitoring the event and nothing will happen to the site. “There will only be a laser show along with a display of the statue of dancing girls, a kind priest and other artefacts found from the site,” he explained. Meanwhile, Halepoto felt the entire event was nothing more than an attempt for a “photo session”. “Why don’t they select other nearby place for the event? Why Moen Jo Daro?”
1/3 Pls do not confuse pics of wooden scaffolding & protective sheets for the stage.These are only to protect the site from any potential
— Sindh Festival (@sindhfestival) January 29, 2014
1/3 Pls do not confuse pics of wooden scaffolding & protective sheets for the stage.These are only to protect the site from any potential
— Sindh Festival (@sindhfestival) January 29, 2014
3/3 Repeat it is NOT the stage
— Sindh Festival (@sindhfestival) January 29, 2014
Published in The Express Tribune, January 30th, 2014.
COMMENTS (34)
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This is not way to protect Sindh Culture
This is not way to protect the Sindh Culture.
Scythians have noo claim over Mohenjodaro or Harrapal go back to the ountains you came from Central Asians.We want our Indus back...SOON.Make it fast before, we use force.
Is it Moenjodaro or Mohenjodaro?
Could someone please help me understand what exactly is Sindhi culture?
@Salma: Nice job plagiarizing by the way. I've read those lines in a previous article not too long ago.
@Salma, wow that was pretty impressive... The only reason these people are around is to make money. Do you really think that he's putting himself out there to face threats? Moving in a convoy of 20 to 30 vehicles or staying in a bunker like home doesn't make you brave, does it?
@salma - just because those ppl never raised a voice against other destruction of cluture doesnt make this right. Have you seen the pictures where a stage has been made on top of Mohanjo daro ruins. Do you seriously think that is the right thing to do? All they have to do is move about half a mile and they can avoid any damage. Is it wrong to point that out?
we hardly see any positive activity in pakistan but if some one take initiative to do a positive work then that type of criticism is normal in pakistan
@Pakistani: bahahaha!...read my mind. That money was used to evict rightful owners of the property around bilawal house and to build the illegal wall.
"The letter also pointed out that nearly $23 million were generated through the ‘Save Moenjodaro’.......but very little is known about how the money was used". Surprise! Surprise!
@fappy: well on fiels numerous water projects have been completed in Sind. "in files".
@confused: by the way they have already made billions out of another drama of constructing road between Larkana and moen jo daro after destroying the earlier one
Pk does not have a civil society if it had there wudn't be such silence on violation of human rights like mass graves in balochistan, these are just attention seekers who have no clue what is happening even at moenjodaro.
Last time I went to Moen jo Daro it was in 2010. The ruins were in further ruins and showed below poor protection and care by sind government. Instead of staging these dramas why the corruption party doesn't spend money on conservation of Sind's thousands of years old heritage but perhaps they are handicapped by Nature to let the government money except their pockets' way
is any of the self proclaimed expert getting a job in unesco?? - ones who have never asked how many heritage sites occupied and ruined by army..ones who never raised a voice when taliban bombed sufi tombs and buddhist sites, ones who have never asked to protect moenjodaro before, never ever, how shameless then to critisize the one who is trying to ...clueless as always...burger party.
Unfortunately the horrors of partition have delivered a significant historical site to a people who, generally, have no interest in it.
This article has an in defense section. Unbelievable.
Where is this Civil Society when people died on the streets no basic education health facilities provided ? Just a Political drama to cash in Sindhi votes by PPP which is now become an ethnic party restricted to interior Sindh, they should invest their energies to save the people who are alive, Mohen Jo Daro has nothing to do with Sindh and its Culture, i challenge anyone who related Mohen Jo Daro with Sindh to read the language of Mohenjo Daro
@confused: r u crazy man?? for God sake dont tell them this, They will do this
. Please dont gave them ideas
Did superman belong to sindh?
It would have been little more balanced had you stated that 4 i French Archaeological Experts are also assisting the SindhFest management in ensuring no damage is done!
Build a housing society at this site.
This is sad, grow up everyone!! Nothing worse than a wealthy welp.
But as his manager could he not... maybe... try managing him? and tell him that are hertiage and it is suppose to save not to ruined by festivals
This Kid need some studies and by that He will get some knowledge and bit of better undersatnding to even simple stuff.
Jealous People.... lol Letter written by those who have never been there, or at least their children have never been to selected site..... Well these are the real obstacles who arise to disturb anything!!
Wow. The only reason this Sindh Festival made sense to me was that in the inertia of the whole thing, maybe the actual heritage of this province would benefit a bit. Sadly, the facts are totally opposite!
Haha! The liberal party that destroyed Sindh!