The public entrance to the museums from August 1 to 14 of this year will be free as part of the celebrations of Independence Day, the Department of Sindh Culture, Tourism, Antiquities and Archives announced on Tuesday.
According to a notification issued in this regard, this year’s celebration will be “Marka-E-HAQ”, referring to Pakistan’s military response to Indian aggression during Operation Banyanum Marsoos. In May, the two countries entered a brief but intense military escalation after India, without evidence, blamed Pakistan for the attack of the pahalgama on April 22. From May 6 to 7, New Delhi launched air attacks that killed civilians, followed by a one -week missile exchange. A high fire of the United States ended the war.
The Museum List includes several government-owned sites, including the Quaid-I-Azam House Museum, Mohenjo Daro, the Provincial Sindh Museum in Hyderabad, the Folks and Craft Museum in Sehwan Sharif, the Banbhore Museum of Banbhore in Larkana Dijairpur and Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Museum in Larkana.
Other places include the Mukhi house, Umarkot Fort Museum, Naukot Fort Museum, Laar Museum Badin, Marvi Cultural Center Bhalwa, Mikeen Jahan Khan Khoso and Bhit Shah Cultural Center.
“Access to archaeological and heritage sites will also be free, including the Shah Jahan Thatta, Mohenjo Daro, Bhanbhore, Kot Diji, Satiyyan Jo Ataan, Umarkot Fort and Naukot Fort,”
The announcement also declared that a 50 percent discount will be applied to all departmental publications, including books available in official bookstores, together with free access to all tourist sites administered by the department.
In addition, access to the archive gallery in Karachi, with rare documents, manuscripts and photographs, will be free, as well as art galleries, including the art gallery of Sambara Karachi, the art gallery of Zafar Kazmi Hyderabad and the gallery of the Mehran Hyderabad Arts Council.
“The department has also decided to organize great musical events in the National Stadium of Hyderabad, Sukkur and Karachi,” added the notification.
The decision was taken at a meeting chaired by the provincial minister of the department, Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah, on the instructions of the Prime Minister of Sindh. Interim Secretary, General Director of Archeology and Antiquities Abdul Fateh Sheikh, Managing Director Tourism Fayyaz Shah and other officers also attended the meeting.
“Famous singers in the country will show their talent in the musical event,” said the statement. “National flags and lights will be installed in all tourist, cultural and old places. This time, the entire nation will celebrate the independence festival with enthusiasm.”
In January, the chief secretary of Sindh, Asif Hyder Shah, emphasized the importance of promoting the tourist potential of Sindh through national and international platforms. He directed the relevant departments that work in collaboration for the implementation of tourism projects, including comprehensive plans for Keenjher Lake, Haleji Lake and Gorakh Hill Resort.
