Pakistan has formally requested UNESCO to facilitate the inclusion of two major archaeological sites, Rani Ghat in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the Port of Banbhore in Sindh, in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
The request was made during a meeting between UNESCO Representative in Pakistan Fuad Pashayev and Federal Minister for National Heritage and Culture Aurangzeb Khan Khichi on Wednesday.
Pakistan’s UNESCO Tentative List currently includes 37 properties. Rani Ghat and the Port of Banbhore are among the archaeological sites already included on the tentative list.
UNESCO Committee Visit to Banbhore Expected
During the meeting, officials discussed the heritage significance of the two sites and Pakistan’s efforts to secure their formal recognition at the international level.
A visit by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee to the Port of Banbhore is expected to take place from September 6 to 11.
The visit could provide an important opportunity to assess the archaeological and cultural significance of the ancient port site and support Pakistan’s efforts to advance its World Heritage nomination.
The government is seeking greater international recognition and support for Pakistan’s archaeological heritage, particularly sites linked to the country’s ancient civilizations and historical trade routes.
Pakistan Seeks Recognition for Traditional Foods
The federal minister also requested UNESCO’s assistance in including four Pakistani foods and culinary traditions in the organisation’s Intangible Cultural Heritage framework.
The proposed traditions include Makai Roti and Saag from Punjab, Balochi Sajji, Sindhi Biryani and Chapli Kebab from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The initiative aims to highlight Pakistan’s diverse culinary traditions and preserve cultural practices that have been passed down through generations.
Recognition under UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage framework could provide greater international visibility to these traditional foods and the cultural practices associated with them.
Pakistan Plans to Promote Gandhara Heritage Abroad
Separately, the government is also planning new initiatives to promote Pakistan’s Gandhara Buddhist heritage internationally.
Imran Shaukat, coordinator of the Prime Minister’s Task Force on Gandhara, said the task force was considering expanding Gandhara exhibitions overseas.
He said dedicated “Gandhara Corners” could also be established to showcase Pakistan’s Buddhist heritage at international locations.
The task force is further considering the allocation of five to 10 acres around selected Gandhara archaeological sites.
According to Shaukat, Buddhist schools and institutions could establish research and meditation centres at these locations. The initiative could encourage longer visits to important archaeological sites and promote research into Gandhara civilisation.
An international Gandhara conference is scheduled for November.
Delegations from Bangladesh and Sri Lanka are also expected to visit Pakistan in October and November as part of efforts to strengthen international engagement with the country’s Buddhist heritage.
The initiatives form part of broader efforts to preserve Pakistan’s historical sites, promote its cultural heritage and attract greater international attention to its archaeological and cultural assets.
