The United Nations has asked Pakistan to reverse “reconstruction” actions that have damaged the integrity of two historic sites in Taxila, warning that if action is not taken the sites will be placed on UNESCO’s “danger list”.Taxila, known as Takshashila in ancient times, is one of the most important archaeological sites in South Asia. Its origins date back to the Vedic period, and the city figures prominently in Hindu epics such as the Ramayana and the Mahabharata.The United Nations’ cultural arm, UNESCO, told senior government officials at a recent meeting that it would not hesitate to “delist” the historic sites of Mohela Moradou and Sekapu, citing recent “unnecessary interference.” It reportedly reminded officials that a World Heritage site in Germany had previously been removed due to similar issues.The controversy began in March when a tourist and whistleblower shared information and images with Pakistan’s permanent representative to UNESCO in Paris, highlighting the reconstruction work of the archaeological department in Punjab. Visitors observe that original walls are being replaced by new construction or that their height is being increased, interventions that may affect the authenticity and integrity of the property.Photos show fresh masonry work replacing ancient walls, with modern building materials appearing smooth and uniform in size, clearly distinguished from the irregular ancient stone.
Punjab archeology department defends intervention
Last month, UNESCO, the Department of Archeology and Museums (DOAM) and the Ministry of National Heritage and Culture conducted a joint technical visit to the Taxila Museum. UNESCO requested specific documentation on Mohra Moradu and Sirkap, including heritage impact assessment reports and photographic documentation of the structures before and after restoration.However, DOAM officials warned that the use of cement to build walls at the World Heritage site is a serious violation of UNESCO regulations. The concern is not just technical but diplomatic: Pakistan has been trying to add 24 more sites to UNESCO’s World Heritage list since 1997, a move that could damage its own credibility.Malik Zaheer Abbas, director of the Punjab Provincial Archeology Department, refused to characterize the work as reconstruction. “The interventions being undertaken are conservation measures based on internationally recognized conservation principles, with the main objective of stabilizing fragile archaeological remains, preventing further deterioration and protecting the authenticity and integrity of these World Heritage properties,” he said.“These works are conservation interventions, not reconstruction,” Abbas added, insisting there was no question of canceling the works.
Previous threats and deeper concerns
This is not the first time that Taxila has faced the threat of being put on the “danger list”. Bhir Mound, adjacent to Taxila Museum, was included in the list in 1998 after then MNA Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan approved the construction of a stadium at the site. The project was later shelved amid public outcry.The current controversy raises wider questions about heritage management in Pakistan. Critics argue that the Taxila Archaeological Heritage Master Plan (2055) was primarily conceived within an urban planning and engineering framework, prioritizing visitor experience over archaeological integrity. Experts point out that the earthen courtyard of Mohramuladhu has been paved with modern mortar and the irregular ancient masonry has been replaced by uniform stonework.As one analysis puts it: “Taxila has survived empires, invasions and centuries of neglect, but it may not survive our well-intentioned impatience”.
