TAXILA, June 23: The Federal Department of Archaeology and Museums has resubmitted its plan and proposal to Unesco for inclusion of three ancient sites in its world cultural heritage list.

Talking to newsmen here on Monday, Director Headquarters of federal department of archaeology and Museums Qasim Ali Qasim has said the ancient sites included extension of Indus valley civilization Harrapa, Rehman Dehri site (DI Khan), and Mehar Garh (Balochistan).

He expressed the hope that Unesco board which was meeting in the first week of next month in Quebec City of Canada would recommend these sites for enlistment in the world cultural heritage list which were earlier deferred by the organisation due to some technical reasons.

He said that eleven ancient sites of the country were included in tentative list of the Unesco for their enlistment in world cultural heritage list. He said that these sites are Rani Ghat (district Dir), Shah Rukan-e- Alam tomb ( Multan), Badshahi Mosque ( Lahore), Rani Kot fort (Dadu), Al Mansoora site (the first Islamic capital of Sub continent), Bhambor (Sindh) and Ashoka relics (Shahbaz Gari).

He said that the Unesco World Heritage List contains areas or objects that constitute an irreplaceable component of the world’s cultural or natural heritage.

The World Heritage Convention was drawn up in 1972 to provide special protection to sites whose universal value qualifies them for preservation as part of the world heritage for future generations.

Responding to a question, Mr Qasim has said that there were many incentives and benefits for enlistment of these sites on Unesco world cultural heritage list.

He said that by enlistment these sites get international recognition and in case of any problem Unesco not only provided technical and financial support for its preservation but also called for international community help and support for these site like it launched the Save Mohenjodero campaign.

He said that by enlistment they become international and common heritage of the world and in case of the some armed conflict, these sites would not be attacked or destroyed according to UN treaty.

Responding to another question, he said that department had also submitted a bill for the amendment of the Antiquities Act of 1975 to the Ministry of Law for approval of the Parliament.

He said that under this bill the proposal had been made that the violation of antiquity act or encroachment on ancient site would be now non-bailable offence and the fine money has been proposed to enhance to Rs 5 million.

He said that documentation of the antiquities discovered from Gandhara are in process to save them from possible theft or being smuggled to some other country.