Centre will help provinces with upkeep of heritage sites, says Shafqat.

THATTA -- Federal Minister for Education, Professional Training and Heritage Shafqat Mahmood has said prolonged closure of educational institutions in the country had caused great loss to students in their academic studies during Covid-19 outbreak.

Speaking to the media during his visit to Makli necropolis here on Thursday, he said all federating units kept a close watch on the virus situation and took decisions at their periodic meetings to discuss how the loss could be covered and how and when the academic process can be normalised. He said finally, the federating units decided to allow resumption of educational activities at all educational institutions from Feb 1.

Speaking about his visit to heritage sites in Thatta district, he said the federal government had initiated a project under which preservation and maintenance of all heritage sites in the country as per international standards would be ensured. He said his visit was aimed at identifying such sites where federal government's assistance was needed. He said that besides identifying the sites, he would recommend measures not only to help properly maintain them but also make them more attractive for foreign and local tourists.

The minister...