Transfer of anthropology institute condemned

Weekly Bang-e-Sahar

Satuarday, August 2-----August 2008

By Our CorrespondentKARACHI: The Karakoram National Movemnet (KNM) Sindh chapter's general secretary Faqir Hussain Chandio has said aniti-Karakoram forces are out to change the geography of the region.He said the transfer of the anthropology institute from Diamer valley of Karakoram to the Hazara University was one such step. He condemned the move and termed it a conspiracy against the region.Mr Chandio was speaking at the annual meeting of Karakoram National Movemnet Sindh at a hotel in Karachi. He said the institute had been carrying out research work in the area for the last over twenty years. He said under the guidance of Prof Dr Ahmad Hasan Dani, the researchers had collected a wealth of data about the geography and culture of Karakoram.One Shakil Durrani, who now works in the Diamer-Basha Dam, was among the researchers and was instrumental in handing over the data to the vice-chancellor of the Hazara University, who is his close relative.He said the institute should have been transferred to the Karakoram International University for promotion of cultural heritage of the area.A large number of KNM workers and activists attended the meeting.