Minister for preserving historical records

PESHAWAR: Caretaker Minister for Newly Merged Districts Affairs Dr Aamer Abdullah on Wednesday emphasized the significance of the Tribal Research Cell as a repository of authentic historical records related to the merged districts.

During his visit to the Tribal Research Cell in Namak Mandi, Peshawar, he directed authorities to safeguard and preserve these valuable records.

Dr Abdullah stressed the need for a development plan to ensure the long-term preservation of the historical records in the research cell and make them accessible to researchers through online platforms. He also encouraged digitizing the records and sought support from the Archives Directorate and UNESCO to preserve the record.

The minister highlighted the importance of cataloguing historical files and written collections and urged collaboration with University of Peshawar for research utilization. He emphasized the phased digitization of the records and the evaluation of the possibility of relocating the records to more suitable government buildings.

The Tribal Research Centre, established in 1971, contains a wealth of historical records, government files, gazetteers, and history books dating back to the British era, serving as a valuable resource for researchers interested in the history of the region.