The rapid urbanization and commercialization is having an adverse effect upon the historical/ cultural heritage of this region, particularly the glorious Gandhara civilization resulting in the destruction of our natural and cultural (historical) heritage brought about by shortsighted development objectives/ policies and illegal excavations and trafficking of antiquities.
We resist the persistent and mindless onslaught on our national heritage, as it threatens to rid us of all our national pride and identity into a ruthless consumer and faceless society.
We invite/ involve people from different segments of society who can act as critical change agents in bringing about a basic shift in attitudes and perceptions of our problems and needs.
We urge upon the policy makers, government officials, UNESCO and donor countries to keep in mind the threats and dangers to the historical sites in NWFP and make concerted and serious effort towards restoration and conservation of these sites and museums.
We also urge the Japanese government to assure the citizens of NWFP that all artifacts and statues that are being transported to Tokyo for the exhibition of Gandhara Art commencing on Oct 29, 2002 will be returned to the Peshawar museum and that in future NWFP and Peshawar will be given assistance and promotion to develop their historic sites and museums so that they can become economically sustainable and viable to ensure the historical continuity of this region.
We urge UNESCO to make serious and coordinated efforts at halting the illegal transactions of Gandhara antiquities to international markets and museums. All trafficked artifacts should henceforth be documented and returned to their original sites and museums.
We urge upon the government of Pakistan, that a board of governors be instituted for all museums in Pakistan, especially NWFP, comprising of senior and respected citizens, as it is the case in western countries. The public representatives should also have a seat in this board.
We demand that all major decisions regarding movement of priceless antiquities, artifacts and statues should be taken with the approval of this board. This is to ensure that no more trafficking and loss of our heritage takes place. Royalty, revenues and economic benefits should accrue to provincial archeological department, rather than the federal department. All inter-provincial transactions should be regularized and antiquities returned henceforth to respective provinces where they rightfully belong.
We demand the Antiquities Act 1975-76 to be amended to ensure provincial rights and to safeguard precious heritage from trafficking, pilferage and destruction. The public has to be enabled in the light of legislative action (Provincial Act) to prevent further damage to local heritage.
Please do not forget to mention your Full Name & Address.
All responses shall be collected and then presented to the Ambassador of Japan and UNESCO in the form of a petition. A copy will also be sent to the relevant departments of the government of Pakistan.
Finally, we are extremely grateful for your continued support and are hopeful that collective efforts will result in the conservation and protection of our heritage.
SCN proposes to hold a consultation workshop on this issue at the SRSP, HRD building - tentatively end of Oct 2002 . Those interested to attend this meeting should kindly register, and may also propose any amendment to the petition as soon as possible. It is hoped that the petition will be formally adopted and sent to the relevant stakeholders.
PLEASE SIGN UP THIS PETITION
OR SEND TO:
SECRETARY
SARHAD CONSERVATION NETWORK
FARMAN MANZIL, 2ND MILESTONE
WARSAK ROAD
PESHAWAR 2516
Mr. Zahoor Durrani, Coordinator: Heritage & Culture, SCN
Tel:0320 4909015 / 92-91-271344 /92-91-272084-85
Thank you