Sindh Decides to Conduct Province-Wide Survey of Heritage Buildings
Imran
Karachi
The Government of Sindh has decided to conduct a comprehensive survey of heritage buildings across the province in order to ensure effective protection, preservation, and documentation of cultural properties. The decision was taken during a meeting of the Advisory Committee on Cultural Heritage of Sindh, which was presided over by Chief Secretary Sindh, Asif Hyder Shah. The meeting was attended by the Secretaries of Culture and Works and Services Departments, Director General Sindh Building Control Authority, Director General Antiquities Department, Advisory Committee Member, Hameed Haroon, renowned heritage expert Dr. Kaleemullah Lashari, and Architectural Consultant and Committee Member, Sohail Ahmed Kalhoro.
During the meeting, the Chief Secretary Sindh stated that the last province-wide survey of heritage buildings was conducted in 2017, during which a total of 3,371 buildings were officially declared as heritage properties. He emphasized that with the passage of time, it has become essential to reassess the current physical condition of these buildings, identify additional heritage sites, and ensure their legal and institutional protection. The Chief Secretary highlighted that heritage buildings represent the cultural identity and historical legacy of Sindh, and their preservation requires updated data, strong technical capacity, and effective enforcement of laws. In this regard, he directed that the Secretariat support of the Technical Committee of the Heritage Department be strengthened to enable efficient decision-making and oversight.
It was further decided that competent and qualified human resource would be recruited from the market to enhance the Secretariat support of the Technical Committee, ensuring the availability of professional expertise required for heritage conservation, restoration, and regulatory functions. The meeting also decided to make heritage protection laws more stringent and effective in order to prevent illegal alterations, encroachments, and damage to heritage properties across the province.
