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The Mastuj archaeological site preservation urged

By Zahiruddin

CHITRAL: The elites of Chitral Noor Wali Shah, Zaffarullah, Maj (r) Ahmed Said, Rehmat Ghafoor Baig Bulbul and others have asked the authorities of UNESCO and Archaeology department and Hazara University to save the important archaeological site of Lakhap Mastuj of land mafia who want to construct rest house on it. Addressing a press conference here on Thursday, they said that in the plateau of Lakhap Mastic, the remains of the Gandhara grave culture have been found by the archaeologists which are of rare nature. They said that the archaeological sites should be preserved as national cultural heritage and their excavation must be carried out so that the history of the people could be traced on scientific lines. They said that the archaeology Department of Hazara University is busy in the excavation of such sites in many parts of the district and the Mastuj was yet to be included in their list but some quarters aborted it and wanted to raise rest house on it. They said that the construction over the archaeological treasure will be a great national loss of heritage. They also urged upon the UNESCO high-ups to rush to the rescue of the sites and include it in world heritage.

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Convener resigns in protest

By Zahiruddin

CHITRAL: The zilla naib-nazim and convener of zilla council Chitral Sultan Shah tendered his resignation to register his protest against the utterance of provincial minister Saleem Khan about the house on Thursday. Earlier, the provincial minister had been invited to address the house which was on its monthly session at the end of which some members of the house asked questions from him. Some of the pinching questions irritated the minister who said that he was ‘not answerable to the house’ and with this left the house. The house members, then made a rumpus objecting to the utterance of the minister on which the convener announced his resignation and said that with the insult of the house he would not like to chair its session any more. Sources in the zilla council secretariat said that as per procedure, the resignation of the convener is being sent to zilla nazim office for further action. When the minister Saleem Khan was contacted by chitraltimes.com to know his version, he said that he did not mean to belittle or demean the house members but he left the house because he had to attend important meeting for which was running short of time. He said that holds in high esteem the members of the house and he himself had been the former convener of the house and cannot even think of using insulting words against them.