The Executive Board of the National Fund for Moenjodaro decided on Tuesday that it will develop a master plan for the archeological site with the assistance of UNESCO.
The plan will then be presented for further deliberation and fundraising in an International Symposium scheduled in December this year at the site.
The board was holding a meeting chaired by Sindh Culture Minister Sassui Palijo.
This was its second meeting after devolution of the site from the federal government to the provincial.
The board also decided to include the Larkana division commissioner as its member for which the formal approval of the chief minister will be obtained.
The Technical Consultative Committee of fund will also have two new members: Dr Kaleemullah Lashari and Syed Hakim Ali Shah Bukhari. The former being a historian and the latter a renowned archaeologist of the region will further strengthen the committee and make it more representative.
The board was informed that the Culture Department and UNESCO have finalised the printing of a two-year (2012-13) table calendar on Moenjodaro and the reprinting of three volumes of John Marshall’s book on the site and the Indus Valley Civilization (first printed in 1931 in Great Britain).
The board also approved the regularisation of temporary employees of the fund and appreciated the efforts of the culture minister for moving a summary to the chief minister for its formal approval.
A committee was formed under the chairmanship of culture additional secretary to auction the scrap of the defunct Ground Water Control Scheme and the contracts of parking, museum fees etc.
The area’s DSP informed the board about the theft of antique seals, which were stolen from the site’s museum in 2002.
The minister directed the officer to immediately arrest the absconding accused and ensure the recovery of the stolen seals and other items.
Another committee was formed under the chairmanship of Larkana division commissioner for plantation at the site and its surroundings.
The board also approved the strategy for promoting cultural tourism that includes publication of pamphlets, picture post cards, posters, etc and their dissemination; photographic exhibitions within Pakistan and abroad; preparation and execution of a master plan to preserve the site and improving facilities for tourists.
Moenjodaro will also have a better management structure including a very qualified and independent project director with archaeological conservators and conservation assistants. They will have all requisite machinery and equipment for better preservation of the site, the board decided.
