Replying UNESCO By Protecting Mohra Murado | Gandhara | UNESCO World Heritage Site in Pakistan

Xee Hoo Investigates UNESCO's Concerns Over Protective Intervention at Mohra Murado In a detailed investigative episode, Xee Hoo visits the ancient Mohra Murado Monastery, one of the finest archaeological sites of the Gandhara Civilization, to examine the controversy surrounding conservation work that attracted the attention of UNESCO. The programme seeks to answer critical questions regarding the protective intervention carried out at the site and presents the views of professional archaeologists through an on-site investigation. During the visit, Xee Hoo interviews a senior archaeologist and asks a series of important questions: What is a protective intervention? Why was it considered necessary at Mohra Murado? How was it executed? How can visitors distinguish the newly added protective work from the original structure built nearly two thousand years ago? The programme also examines how the internationally accepted principle of reversibility has been ensured so that future conservators can remove the intervention without damaging the original archaeological fabric. The archaeologist provides a detailed demonstration at the site, pointing out the individual bricks used in the intervention, the date cards inserted during the conservation process, and the lead sheets that clearly separate the modern protective work from the ancient remains. He explains that these measures were deliberately adopted to ensure that the intervention remains identifiable and fully in accordance with accepted conservation practices. The programme further explores concerns raised by UNESCO after questions were asked about restoration activities at the site. According to the archaeologist, much of the criticism stemmed from misunderstandings about the difference between restoration and protective intervention. He explains that the work undertaken was intended solely to stabilize and protect the fragile remains from further deterioration rather than to reconstruct or alter the original monument. Xee Hoo host Rasheed ul Hassan accompanies the investigation, carefully examining every section of the monastery. The team observes that earlier cement-based repairs have been removed by the Department of Archaeology, a development they describe as a positive step towards adopting more appropriate conservation practices. The archaeologist also explains the severe impact that rain, temperature fluctuations, moisture, and other climate hazards could have had on the exposed walls if protective intervention had not been undertaken. Without timely conservation measures, he warns, significant portions of the ancient monastery could have suffered irreversible damage. The programme also discusses the wider implications of the controversy. UNESCO had reportedly warned that if unauthorized restoration of the World Heritage property was established, Pakistan could face serious consequences, including the possibility of delisting the heritage site. This prompted Xee Hoo to conduct an independent, on-ground examination of the conservation work. After closely inspecting the site and documenting the conservation measures brick by brick and stone by stone, Xee Hoo concludes that the work observed at Mohra Murado is protective in nature and appears to have been undertaken to safeguard the archaeological remains rather than to recreate or falsify history. The programme encourages informed debate based on archaeological evidence, conservation principles, and expert opinion while highlighting the importance of preserving Pakistan's invaluable Gandharan heritage for future generations. XEE HOO ( ZEESHAN HUSSAIN ) Team Xee Hoo ( Zeeshan Hussain ) Credits. CEO : Shamaila Salahuddin Producer: Rasheed Ul Hassan Production Manager : Aleena Salahuddin Cameraman : Qamar Ali Murad Editor : Ayesha Amin Drone operator: Muhammad Ashraf Script Writer : Zeeshan Hussain Voice Over : Zeeshan Hussain Host : Zeeshan Hussain Powered by Vaudeville Productions