Ambassador Munter Praises U.S.-Pakistan Cultural Preservation Efforts in Upper Sindh

Islamabad, January 31, 2012 – U.S. Ambassador Cameron P. Munter, accompanied by his wife, Dr. Marilyn Wyatt, and U.S. Consul General William Martin, visited Larkana and Sukkur in Sindh Province today to visit cultural landmarks and learn more about efforts to preserve such sites. Ambassador Munter toured the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Mohenjo-Daro, where he also met with local government officials. Speaking to the media on site, Ambassador Munter expressed his deep appreciation for Pakistani cultural heritage. He stated the United States is committed to helping preserve the richness of Pakistani archeological sites through the U.S. Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation, which has provided more than $1.8 million towards 17 different cultural and archeological projects in Pakistan over the past decade. Ambassador Munter also reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to continue assistance to the victims of the 2010 and 2011 floods in Sindh.

Ambassador Munter also visited Sadhu Bela, a Hindu religious pilgrimage site in Sukkur, and met with community leaders.  Ambassador Munter praised the site as an excellent example of religious tolerance and diversity, and hailed local government efforts to preserve the shrines and temples located there.