LARKANA: The Assistant Director, Culture, Tourism, Antiquities and Archives Department. Government of Sindh, Sindhu Chandio, has written a letter to the Director, National Highway Authority (NHA), Karachi, asking him to stop the work of the proposed plan for broadening the Ratodero-Shikarpur link road as the civil society of Ratodero has raised objection that it will damage archeological site of “Bhando Qubo” and requested to protect it. The site is situated in Ratodero.
The letter said that “it is regretted to inform you that the desired link road Ratodero-Shikarpur falls within the “protected” archeological site under Antiquities Act, 1975 and the responsibility thereof is held with the Culture, Tourism, Antiquities and Archives Department, Government of Sindh. “In view of above, the letter further added, it is requested please to stop the work of the proposed plan for broadening the subject road which is tantamount to the violation of the said Act”.
Copies of this letter have also been sent to the assistant commissioner, Ratodero and Director Culture Department. It must be mentioned here that historic Bhando Qubo was built in 1740 where the tomb of Rato Khan Jalbani is also situated which is under danger as the NHA is widening the road without taking care of this ancient site. Sardar Agha Ali Nawaz Khan Jalbani told reporters that he has already talked with the contractors who have assured that the tomb will not be affected by road broadening and they will ensure that the historical site is fully protected without any harm to its originality.