[CPProt.net] Archaeology chief blamed for Harappa mess

[Museum Security Network / Cultural Property Protection Net (Ton Cremers)]

Archaeology chief blamed for Harappa mess
Islamabad | May 16, 2005 1:41:46 PM IST
 
Islamabad, May 16 : The head of Pakistan's archaeology department has been
blamed for a controversial amusement park being established adjacent to the
ruins of the 5,000-year-old Harappa civilisation, work on which has been
halted after a public outcry. 

Holding Director General Archaeology Fazal Dad Kakar responsible for issuing
a no objection certificate for the park, Culture Minister Ajmal Khan has
warned that anyone "misguiding" the ministry on the issue would be punished,
The News reported Monday.

Work on the park was halted after diggings in the area threw up new
discoveries of priceless 5,000-year-old objects.

The discoveries at one of the world's most ancient cities, about 180 km from
Lahore, include statues of gods and goddesses, toys, wheels, pottery and
bangles.

The park was being set up at the instance of National Assembly member
Azizullah Khan, who is the chairman of the parliament's standing committee
on culture and tourism. Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz had granted Rs.10
million for the project.

Prominent Pakistani historian and archaeologist Ahmed Hasan Dani had first
rung the alarm bells against the project.

"Please spare the 5,000-year-old ruins of one of the first cities of the
world," he pleaded in a letter to Khan earlier this month. Khan also holds
the sports and tourism portfolios.

The project would only bring Pakistan a bad name at the international level,
Dani contended.

The culture minister then ordered a resurvey of the project and Kakar
visited the site. 

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