Buddha-age carvings found in Pak

[star_munir]

Buddha-age carvings found in Pak
Islamabad, April 05: Over a thousand rare stone carvings, sculptures and statues of Lord Buddha have been found at the construction site of a dam in Pakistan`s North West Frontier Province.

Following the discovery of these rock carvings at the site of the Diamer Bhasha dam being built on the Indus River, Pakistan`s Archaeology Department expects more such discoveries when work on the main reservoir begins.

"At least 1,000 to 1,500 different kinds of rock carvings, sculptures and statues have been found during the technical work and the archaeology department expects a huge consignment when full-fledged reservoir building is started," the news reported today quoting sources.

There are believed to be nearly 30,000 important statues, carvings and sculptures within a radius of 135 km of the dam site.

The archaeology department of the northern areas has confirmed the discovery of the Buddha-era stone work. "We believe that nearly 30,000 raw carvings and such invaluable sculptures of the Buddha-age have been found where the Bhasha dam is being built," said northern areas archaeology department secretary Sanaullah.

Water and power development authority project director Tariq Masood too confirmed that companies working on a study to ascertain the technical feasibility of the Bhasha dam have found some carvings.

Though these discoveries are in the knowledge of the administration of the northern areas and the federal government, arrangements to preserve these treasures are believed to be inadequate. A German company working on the project has recommended the setting up of a museum to preserve the treasures.

The Diamer Bhasha dam on the Indus River is being built in the region where the Hindu Kush and the Himalayan ranges meet and is to store water to generate 4,500 mw of electricity. The dam`s foundation stone was laid by President Pervez Musharraf amidst protests.

Bureau Report