PESHAWAR: The Directorate General of Archaeology, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, has formed a committee to assess the damage caused to archaeological sites and museums in the province due to the recent floods and rains.
Experts and officers of the Archaeology Department will visit flood-affected areas across the province and directly assess the damage to historical sites. Based on the recommendations of the committee, restoration and protection plans for archaeological sites in their original condition will be prepared. The committee will make recommendations for long-term plans for disaster prevention and damage reduction.
The recent rains and floods in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have damaged houses, educational institutions and other government buildings. In this context, instructions have been issued to send a detailed report on the possible impact of archaeological sites and museums across the province to the provincial government within a week.
A committee has been formally formed in this regard. On the instructions of the Director General, Department of Archaeology and Museums, Dr. Abdul Samad, teams have been formed for Malakand Division, Hazara Division, Mardan, Swabi and Buner.
These teams will estimate the damage to archaeological sites and museums at the respective locations and provide all relevant information in documentary form to the Directorate General of Archaeology and Museums within the stipulated time.
According to a letter issued by the department, teams comprising Mohid Gul (Curator), Amanullah (Assistant Director) and Fazal Ahad (Work Supervisor) have been formed for Malakand Division, Syed Niaz Ali Shah (Curator) and Muhammad Munir (Archaeological Conservator) for Hazara Division, Niaz Wali (Field Supervisor) and Muhammad Tayyab for Mardan, while Gul Nabi (Field Officer) and Arshad Khan (Sub Engineer) for Swabi and Buner, which will be required to submit a detailed report of the affected sites within a week.
According to the DG Antiquities, the historical and cultural heritage of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was facing threats due to the recent floods. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government is taking more steps to protect and restore its historical heritage.
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