Swat Museum to be rebuilt with Rs221m fund

The News

Khyber Pakhtun-khwa Minister for Sports, Tourism and Museums Syed Aqil Shah on Tuesday said the provincial government would spend Rs221 million with the support of Italy to restore and build the Swat Museum on the Saidu Sharif Road in Mingora.

Laying the foundation stone for the museum, he said the Swat Museum would be rebuilt by the Italian archaeologists and the reconstruction would promote the culture of Swat. He added the provincial government was about to start work on the Malam Jabba Hotel, Kalam Road, Mahodand and Gulf ground in the area.

Speaking on the occasion, representative of the Italian government, Katrina Ronchi said Swat belonged to a fertile civilization as the area encompassed a rich history. She added the Italian government would help Pakistan unearth its archaeological treasures.

She said the museum suffered losses during militancy in Swat and owing to the interest of the Pakistan government in rebuilding the Museum, Italy developed a comprehensive project to restore the treasure house. She added that the Italian archaeologists would also be starting excavation in Swat valley.