MOHENJODARO, pakistan — Folk dancers and singers wearing traditional dresses took the stage Saturday at one of the world’s most ancient archaeological sites for a festival that organizers say aspires to promote peace in a nation where political violence has left about 40,000 dead in recent years.
The festival at Mohenjodaro aims to publicize the cultural heritage of the country’s south. But it drew controversy when some archaeologists said the event posed a threat to the site’s unbaked-brick ruins dating to the 3rd millennium B.C.
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the son of assassinated Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, organized the event at Mohenjodaro, associated with one of the world’s first urban societies, the Indus Valley civilization.
The event Saturday was inaugurated by the 25-year-old politician, who heads the Pakistan People’s Party. His father served one term as the country’s president, but it has been the younger Zardari who has become the public face of the party. It is especially strong in Sindh province, the family’s homeland and the location of Mohenjodaro.
The festival has been seen as part of efforts to raise the younger Zardari’s profile on the national political stage.
Zardari selected Mohen-jodaro “to promote local culture, peace and tolerance,” said government official Saqib Ahmed Soomro. About 500 guests were in attendance — many flown in from the port city of Karachi. Roughly 2,000 police officers provided security, although militant attacks are relatively rare in that part of Sindh province.
The festival drew controversy when archaeologists said they fear that the stage and other event infrastructure could damage the mud ruins.
“It is nothing but insanity,” said archaeologist Asma Ibrahim, who is a member of the Management Board for Antiquities and Physical Heritage of the Sindh government. She said the stage and sound and light show could damage walls.
But organizers say there is no risk to the ruins.
