On 26th September 2024, Mr. Khair Muhammad Kalwar, Secretary of Culture, Tourism, Antiquities & Archives, Government of Sindh, conducted a field visit to several significant cultural and heritage sites in the districts of Hyderabad and Jamshoro. Accompanying him on this visit were Mr. Roshan Ali Kanasro, Resident Director of the Planning, Development, Monitoring & Implementation (PDM&I) Cell, along with Mr. Akhtiyar Ali Mangi, Executive Engineer, and Mr. Muhammad Tanweer, Consultant.
The first stop on the visit was the M.H. Panhwar Institute of Sindh Studies, where the Secretary observed with great pleasure the ongoing digitization efforts. The institute has scanned and uploaded over 4,000 historical books on Sindhi literature, history, and research, which are now available on the Sindh.org web portal. Mr. Narinjan, Coordinator of the Institute, briefed the Secretary and the Resident Director on the progress. Pleased with the work, the Secretary assured his support by promising to provide new batteries for the solar power system, additional furniture, and the installation of air conditioning units in the relevant offices.
The next visit was to the Sindh Institute of Music & Performing Arts (SIMPA), where Mr. Sher Muhammad Mahar, Director of SIMPA, warmly welcomed the delegation. The Secretary expressed satisfaction with the overall functioning of the institute but highlighted the importance of ensuring that certifications for the candidates are accredited by Higher Education Commission (HEC)-recognized universities.
“Our visit to Hyderabad and Jamshoro showcased the remarkable efforts in preserving Sindh’s cultural heritage through digitization and modernizing key institutions. We are committed to providing the resources needed to protect and promote our rich history for future generations.”
(Mr. Khair Muhammad Kalwar, Secretary Culture)
At the N.A. Baloch Institute, the Secretary emphasized the need for the institute to increase its productivity by focusing on high-quality research and publishing the folk wisdom of Sindh. He urged the director to adopt an innovative approach while maintaining research standards, ensuring that the institute remains more than a traditional institution.
During the visit to K.B. Azeem Khan Sindh Government Library in Hyderabad, Ms. Saba Ayoub welcomed the delegation and discussed the various issues the library faced. The Secretary reassured her that all necessary facilities and resources would be provided to address the library’s challenges promptly.
The Secretary then visited the iconic Mukhi House Museum, one of the heritage buildings of Hyderabad. Here, he directed the staff to provide brief descriptions of each historical artifact, including photographs, in Sindhi, Urdu, and English, to ensure that visitors can understand and appreciate the exhibits. He also instructed the team to coordinate with the Director General of Antiquities & Archaeology for major repairs to the wooden structures that form part of the building.
At the Hasrat Mohani Library, located near Mukhi House, the Secretary and the Resident Director noted that minor developments were needed. The Secretary instructed the installation of charging hubs at each table to facilitate the charging of electronic devices, as well as the creation of space for a digital library.
The provincial delegation also visited Pacca Qila, Mehran Arts Council, and the Public Library in Latifabad Sector 11, where several concerns were raised, discussed, and resolved on the spot.
The visit continued at the Sindh Museum & Mumtaz Mirza Auditorium, where major work had been completed, although some galleries were still under development. The Secretary and his team visited the Cultural Village within the museum grounds and expressed satisfaction with its current appearance. He suggested installing descriptive plates and markers at key points throughout the museum, printed in both Sindhi and English, to provide better context to visitors, especially foreign tourists. He also recommended placing markers in Sindhi and English along the museum’s exterior to improve visitor wayfinding.
The next stop was the Sindhi Language Authority (SLA), where Prof. Dr. Ishaq Samejo, Chairman of the SLA, welcomed the delegation. The Secretary encouraged the authority to take further steps to promote the Sindhi language in all government offices. He emphasized that the SLA should take responsibility for translating official content into Sindhi and assist other departments in their efforts to use Sindhi more effectively in governmental communications.
At the Sham ul Ulema Allama Doudpota Library, the Secretary spoke with students and listened to their concerns, promising to resolve their issues and provide them with modern facilities in line with international standards. He also inspected the extension of the library, which is being constructed to accommodate female students, and praised the architectural design. The Secretary recommended that future building projects by the PDM&I Cell incorporate elements reflecting Sindhi culture and Indus Valley Civilization history, to connect students and visitors with the region’s rich cultural heritage.
Afterward, the delegation visited the Writers & Artisans Guest House located behind the library, where the Secretary instructed the administration to provide the best possible services to all guests without delay or excuse.
Finally, the delegation visited the Abdul Majid Bhurgri Institute of Language Engineering (AMBILE), where they were welcomed by Mr. Amar Fayaz Buriro, Director of the Institute. Mr. Buriro briefed the Secretary on the ongoing work, particularly the development of the Sindhi WordNet project. The Secretary was impressed with the progress and encouraged the institute to register the patent for Bhittaipedia with the Intellectual Property Organization of Pakistan (IPO-Pakistan) to secure their intellectual efforts in preserving Sindh’s folk wisdom. It was also suggested that this massive project, which includes translating Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai’s poetry into 130 languages using AI, be presented to the Chief Minister of Sindh for further recognition. During this visit, the Bhittaipedia Newsletter was also launched, and the Secretary praised the work being done at the institute, which meets international standards in both output and infrastructure.
The visit concluded at the Abdul Majid Bhurgri Institute, where the Secretary expressed his satisfaction with the productive work being carried out to preserve Sindh’s cultural heritage and ensure its promotion in the digital age. The delegation left with clear ideas and plans for future development in the promotion of Sindhi culture and the conservation of the Indus Valley Civilization’s relics.