PROVINCIAL ASSEMBLY OF SINDH
CULTURE, TOURISM & ANTIQUITIES DEPARTMENT
LIST OF STARRED ASSEMBLY QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FOR
THURSDAY THE 15TH NOVEMBER, 2018
*08. Mr. Arif Mustafa Jatoi: Will the Minister for Culture, Tourism & Antiquities be please to state:-
Number of domestic and international tourists visited the Province during 01-01-2018 to 30-09-2018?
ANSWER
SYED SARDAR ALI SHAH, MINISTER FOR CULTURE, TOURISM & ANTIQUITIES:
Number of Domestic and International Tourists who visited the province of Sindh during 01.01.2018 to 30.09.2018 are as under,
Domestic Tourists: 271202.
International Tourists: 2125.
The figure has been taken from the record of historical sites and from the facilities of STDC. However, a large number of foreign as well as domestic tourists visit Sindh and utilize private facilities. Their number cannot be ascertained. Details is annexedplaced on the Table of the House.
*103. Mr. Arif Mustafa Jatoi: Will the Minister for Culture, Tourism & Antiquities be please to state:-
(a) Is it a fact that Frere Hall is being handed over to a private organization;
(b) If answer to (a) above is affirmative, terms and conditions for the same?
ANSWER
SYED SARDAR ALI SHAH, MINISTER FOR CULTURE, TOURISM & ANTIQUITIES:
Frere Hall is protected under Antiquities Act 1975. Presently the same is under administrative control of KMC. However it has been surfaced through media that Frere Hall is being handed over to private organization through MOU. In this regard, our department has not been intimated thereof officially.
*456. Mr. Arsalan Taj Hussain: Will the Minister for Culture, Tourism & Antiquities be please to state:-
(a) Whether there are any plans to restore and maintain archeological sites across Sindh;
(b) If answer to (a) above is affirmative, the details thereof?
ANSWER
SYED SARDAR ALI SHAH, MINISTER FOR CULTURE, TOURISM & ANTIQUITIES:
It is to state that after the 18th Constitutional Amendment, 129 Archaeological Sites & Historical Monuments are transferred / devolved from Federal Government to Culture, Tourism & Antiquities Department, GOS in 2011. The overall conditions of 129 transferred Archaeological Sites and Monuments were deplorable due to lack of maintenance. Since then realizing the condition of sites and monuments, various development schemes for different sites and monuments have been prepared by the Department and implementing successfully to restore the original features of cultural jewels. An umbrella Scheme namely “Protection, Preservation of Protected Archaeological Sites and Monuments in Sindh prepared and through this scheme several archaeological sites and monuments are preserved in their original condition.
Besides, Department has prepared the various schemes and implementing the Conservation work to restore the Cultural Heritage for coming generations.
*547. Mr. Khurram Sher Zaman: Will the Minister for Culture, Tourism & Antiquities be please to state:-
(a) Is it a fact that assets/properties i.e. central archaeological library in Karachi, National Heritage Fund, and PTDC assets including a motel in Hawksbay, tourist information center in Thatta, a motel and tourist information Centre in Mohenjodaro and 32 canal lands in Sukkur have been devolved from center to the department;
(b) If answer to (a) above is affirmative, the details thereof?
ANSWER
SYED SARDAR ALI SHAH, MINISTER FOR CULTURE, TOURISM & ANTIQUITIES:
The central archaeological Library and National Heritage Fund have been devolved but not transferred to Sindh Province.Also despite devolution, PTDC’s assets including a Motel on Hawks Bay Karachi, a Tourist Information Center in Thatta, a Motel and Tourist Information Centre in Moen-jo-Daro& 32 Canal lands in Sukkur have not been transferred from Centre to Tourism Department Government of Sindh so far.
*604. Mr. Rabistan Khan: Will the Minister for Culture, Tourism & Antiquities be please to state:-
(a) Is it a fact that historical palace constructed like “Taj Mahal” near TandoBhago is devastated;,
(b) If answer to (a) above is affirmative, steps taken by department for its betterment?
ANSWER
SYED SARDAR ALI SHAH, MINISTER FOR CULTURE, TOURISM & ANTIQUITIES:
It is to state that the place like Taj Mahal in TandoBhago district Badin is called Sahiban Mahal. According to our survey the place has not been devastated, but has not been given due care. Since it is private property, the onus lies on the owner for proper maintenance.
G.M Umar Farooq
Secretary
Provincial Assembly of Sindh
Karachi:
Dated the 14th November, 2018
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