US consul-general visits Makli necropolis

SUKKUR: US Consul-General in Karachi, Grace Shelton, visited the  Makli necropolis, a world heritage site, to observe the restoration of the tombs of Sultan Ibrahim and Amir Sultan Muhammad as part of the US-funded Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP) project. 

The historical monuments in Thatta area have outstanding value not only to Pakistanis but also to humanity. “AFCP is the centerpiece of America’s partnership with Pakistan in the area of art and culture,” said Consul-General Shelton. 

“Our investments in these cultural preservation projects demonstrate our respect for the rich heritage and diversity of Pakistan,” she said. The restoration of the 400-year-old tombs of Sultan Ibrahim and Amir Sultan Muhammad was made possible through a funding of $260,000; one of the two AFCP cultural preservation projects in the province of Sindh. 

The US consulate-general in Karachi is also working with the Sindh government for the rehabilitation of Varun Dev Temple on Manora Island with a cost of $250,000. 

The US Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP) supports preservation of cultural sites, cultural objects and forms of traditional cultural expression in more than 100 countries around the world. 

The projects include restoration of ancient and historic buildings, conservation of rare manuscripts and museum collections, preservation and protection of important archaeological sites and documentation of vanishing traditional craft techniques and indigenous languages.