Federal Minister for Culture and National Heritage Aurangzeb Khan Khichi accompanied by Federal Secretary Asad ur Rehman Gilani visited the Institute of Sindhology, University of Sindh Jamshoro here on Tuesday.

After meeting Sindh University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Fateh Muhammad Marri and Director of the Institute Dr Fayaz Latif, they jointly went round various sections of the institute, including the museum and the research library.

During the visit, the federal minister keenly observed the preserved historical artifacts, cultural and civilizational heritage; corners dedicated to renowned personalities and the rich academic and literary collections and highly appreciated their systematic arrangement and preservation.

Speaking to the media on the occasion, Federal Minister Aurangzeb Khan Khichi said that the Institute of Sindhology was not only an important academic, literary, historical and cultural institution of Sindh but of the entire Pakistan. He said he felt great pleasure visiting the different parts of the institute.

He said that rare historical, cultural and literary heritage had been preserved in the museum in an exemplary manner. The museum, he added, showcased historical, civilizational and folk heritage with remarkable care and aesthetic sense.

The Federal Minister further said that the research library housed a 600-year-old manuscript of the Holy Quran along with other rare historical books and documents, which deeply impressed him.

He stated that the purpose of his visit was to establish linkages among all cultural institutions across Pakistan, connect them with one another and extend all possible support for their development.

“Institutions like the Institute of Sindhology are invaluable national assets and their promotion and development is a collective responsibility”, the minister said and assured that his ministry would make every possible effort to support the improvement of the institute and that a comprehensive plan of action would be prepared in consultation with Vice-Chancellor Dr Fateh Muhammad Marri and Director Dr Fayaz Latif.

He also announced that a national-level academic, literary and cultural conference would soon be organized in Islamabad, to which the Institute of Sindhology would be invited. He added that efforts would be made to arrange an exhibition of the institute’s historical and cultural artifacts in Islamabad so that people across the country could become familiar with the valuable assets preserved at this historic institution.

He assured full cooperation in organizing such programs and thanked the Vice-Chancellor and the Director for their hospitality.

On the occasion, Federal Secretary for Culture and National Heritage Asad ur Rehman Gilani said that the Institute of Sindhology was a magnificent cultural institution where the beautiful cultural colors of Sindh had been preserved.

He said that the corners dedicated to renowned personalities were impressive and needed to be digitized in line with modern requirements, adding that the progress made by the institute in this regard was commendable.

He emphasized the need to promote joint cooperation between the federal and provincial governments in the fields of culture and heritage to ensure further development and stated that visits to various cultural institutions of Sindh were being carried out with the objective.

Welcoming the Federal Minister and the Federal Secretary to the University of Sindh, Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Fateh Muhammad Marri expressed hope that their visit would prove highly beneficial for the Institute of Sindhology.

He termed the Federal Minister’s offer to arrange an exhibition of Sindhology’s priceless assets in Islamabad as an excellent initiative, which the university wholeheartedly accepted. He added that a proposal would soon be prepared to move forward in this regard.

Dr Marri said that the Institute of Sindhology was the custodian of Sindh’s historical, civilizational, cultural, academic and literary traditions and enjoyed wide recognition both nationally and internationally.

He added that the development and promotion of the institute were among his top priorities and thanked the Federal Minister for his cooperation, calling it a good omen for the institute.

On the occasion, Director of the Institute of Sindhology Dr Fayaz Latif formally welcomed the guests and paid special tribute to the Vice-Chancellor for his guidance, encouragement and support for the betterment of the institute, terming it a source of motivation.

He said that serving such a historic institution was a great honor and privilege and expressed his resolve to continue the traditions laid down by the founders, which form the core mission of the institute. He thanked the Federal Minister and Secretary for their goodwill and support for the institute.

The Director also presented the guests with traditional Sindhi cultural gifts, including Ajrak and Sindhi caps.

Among others, Director General Pakistan National Council of Arts (PNCA) Islamabad Muhammad Ayoob Jamali, Director General Department of Archaeology and Museums Islamabad Amanullah, and Pro-Vice Chancellor of the University of Sindh Professor Dr Syed Abdul Sattar Shah were also present on the occasion.