ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The Federal Minister for National History & Literary Heritage (NH&LH) Division Shafqat Mehmood chaired the second meeting of ‘Coordination Committee on Heritage Sites of Pakistan’ on Tuesday held at National History and Literary Heritage Division in Islamabad.
This Forum was set up in June 2018 with the view to enhance coordination and information sharing between Federal and Provincial governments on heritage sites of Pakistan. The first meeting of the Committee was held on July 6, 2018.
The Culture and Archaeology Ministers from Khyber Pakhtukhwa, Sindh, Gilgit Baltistan and Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK) attended the meeting.
The Secretary NH&LH Division Eng. Aamir Hasan along with concerned provincial Secretaries, Director General, Department of Archeology & Museums, Syed Junaid Akhlaq and Director of UNESCO were also present in the meeting.
The participants agreed to conduct a mapping of cultural/natural/religious sites across the Country with the view to develop plans for maintenance and preservation of heritage sites. They also agreed to work together on preparing nomination dossiers of cultural/national heritage sites for UNESCO’s world heritage list.
The representative of the Punjab government gave a detailed presentation on impact of Orange Train Line Project on World Heritage site i.e. Shalimar Garden.
The Director Department of Archaeology and Museums of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government briefed about initiatives taken by the provincial government for implementation of Cabinet decisions.
Shafqat Mehmood assured that his division will provide all necessary coordination and assistance in enhancing the cooperation in the area of literary, built-up and intangible cultural heritage.
The provinces were requested to submit their suggestions for preservation, maintenance and protection of heritage sites.
