ISLAMABAD: The Punjab government has allocated Rs4billion for the Taxila Heritage Development Plan to preserve ancient sites and promote tourism in the culturally rich historic city.
The Punjab Directorate General of Archaeology has constituted a Monitoring and Coordination Committee to ensure adherence to national and international standards during project execution. However, significant challenges remain, primarily due to overlapping mandates and the assignment of multiple tasks to the committee without a clear definition of its authority to implement development projects. The committee includes civil servants from the Assistant Commissioner’s office, Cantonment Board, Municipal Committee, Traffic Police, IESCO, Gandhara Resource Center, local traders, and civil society representatives, operating under the Punjab Heritage Authority.
It brings together a wide range of functions—from programme monitoring and inter-departmental coordination to infrastructure development and compliance with UNESCO standards. A key strength of the setup is the clear alignment of technical agencies—IESCO for power, the Municipal Committee for waste management, and the Cantonment Board for land regulation. The Gandhara Resource Center provides archaeological expertise, while traders and civil society contribute economic and community perspectives. This diversity is a positive step toward participatory governance.
However, a major concern is that the committee was formed without a stakeholder consultation process involving representatives from Taxila. It is also unclear whether members will have access to PC-1 documents, project plans, or a list of implementing partners and their responsibilities.
Without these, measuring progress, allocating resources, or ensuring accountability will be difficult. Experts caution that the committee may struggle to achieve tangible results without proper documentation. If the Government of Punjab addresses these gaps by finalising project documentation, defining implementing partners, and clarifying roles, the committee could become an effective governance mechanism. Strengthening the role of the Gandhara Resource Center is also essential.
The Centre has been at the forefront of community-led heritage work in Taxila since 2018, promoting heritage education, cultural diplomacy, tourism, youth engagement, and the revival of stone craftsmanship—contributions that go beyond archaeology and documentation. Currently, its role in the committee is narrowly defined.
To realise the Heritage City vision, GRCP’s broader strengths in community mobilisation, tourism development, and heritage entrepreneurship should be fully integrated, ensuring local communities become active custodians of Taxila’s living heritage.
When contacted, Punjab’s Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb confirmed the allocation and emphasised that Taxila’s restoration will generate economic ripple effects beyond tourism. Local communities will benefit from infrastructure improvements, including upgraded roads, sewerage systems, and public facilities.
The project includes plans for a cafeteria, a recreational area, and a modern security system, which will create hundreds of permanent jobs and establish Taxila as a premier destination.