Project launched to renovate six museums in KP

PESHAWAR: The Directorate of Archaeology and Museums of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has decided to a launch a project for the rehabilitation and renovation of six museums to attract foreign and domestic tourists to the province.
According to a press release issued here, the decision was taken at a meeting of officials of the Archaeology and Museums here on Wednesday.
The museums at Dir, Bannu, Swat, Chitral and Mardan would be restored and renovated under a two-year project for which Rs60 million has been allocated.
Under the project, besides rehabilitation, renovation and decoration of museums, display centres would be established at these museums while lighting and drainage systems would be put on modern lines.
Besides, construction of international standard parking lots, lawns, benches, racks for antiquities, cafeteria, up-gradation of library and stores are also part of the project. Virtual tours will be initiated and use of cutting edge technology in projection of antiquities and museum exhibit for the convenience of national and international tourists.
After the 18th Amendment to the Constitution, the archaeology and museums were handed over to the provinces, and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government launched various steps to attract foreign tourists by developing tourism, historic and heritage sites in the province.
The participants of the meeting said that the museums needed
maintenance, development, projection and expansion to protect and preserve the antiquities.
The scheme is purely non-profit, but a nominal fee would be charged for entry, parking and conducting cultural events and exhibitions to generate revenue for the maintenance of the museums.