UNESCO adds three Sindh forts to tentative World Heritage list
Three cultural and archaeological sites from Pakistan’s southern Sindh province have been added to UNESCO’s tentative list of World Heritage Sites, according to state media reports. The sites include Kot Diji Fort, Naukot Fort, and Umerkot Fort, all recognized for their historical and cultural importance. The inclusion on the tentative list is an initial step toward securing full World Heritage status from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), which designates sites of outstanding cultural or natural value. Sindh Minister for Culture, Tourism and Antiquities Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah, as quoted by Radio Pakistan, said the development would play a key role in promoting Sindh’s cultural heritage at the global level. Sindh is home to some of South Asia’s oldest civilizations, including traces of the Indus Valley Civilization, along with centuries-old architectural traditions and cultural heritage. Kot Diji Fort, built in the 18th century, along with Naukot and Umerkot forts, are historic desert fortifications linked to regional defense systems and trade routes in Sindh. UNESCO’s official website confirms that all three sites are now part of its tentative list, which serves as an inventory of properties countries plan to nominate for future inscription.
Only sites included on this list are eligible for consideration for full World Heritage status, a process that typically involves detailed evaluation over several years. Pakistan already hosts several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Mohenjo-daro, Taxila, Lahore Fort, and the Shalimar Gardens, with new additions to the tentative list seen as a step toward expanding its global cultural representation.
Reference Link:- https://www.nation.com.pk/25-May-2026/unesco-adds-three-sindh-forts-tentative-world-heritage-list
Zamir Ahmed Awan is the founder and Chair of the Global Silk Route Research Alliance, a think tank in Islamabad. He studied engineering at Shanghai University in the 1980s, and years later he went back to China as Pakistan's science counsellor in Beijing, from 2010 until 2016, working on science and higher education cooperation between the two countries.…
