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Minister in charge of the Subject shall declare archaeological monuments by a notice published in the government gazette in terms of sections 16,17,18 and 19 of the Antiquities Ordinance for the purposes of the said Ordinance.

Ancient constructions of historical and archeological value which are older than 100 years will be declared as archaeological monuments in accordance with the legal provisions of the Antiquities (Amendment) Act No. 24 of 1998.

Ancient monuments situated on state lands and ancient trees growing in state land or any other land will be declared as ancient monument in terms of Sections 16 and 17 of the Antiquities Ordinance No. 09 of 1940 in order to secure the preservations or protection of them.

Ancient monuments situated on private land will be declared as protected monuments in terms of section 18 only after calling for objections in terms of section 19.

Section 21 emphasizes that proper authority and intervention of this department is essential to commence or carry out any work of restoration, repair or addition in connection with any protected monument subsequent to they being declared in the above manner.

Any person who destroys, injures or defaces shall be guilty of an offence under the said ordinance and shall be liable on conviction after a trial before a Magistrate to a fine not less than Rs.50,000.00 and not exceeding Rs.250,000.00 or to imprisonment of either description for a term not less than 2 years and not exceeding 5 years or to both such fine and imprisonments. The law further states that persons accused of the offences cannot boiled out until hearing of the case is finalized.

Subsequent to declaration of monuments, taking into consideration the importance of the monuments and their associated environment and with the objective of alleviating possible threats to the historicity and archaeological value of such monuments, orders have been made in terms of Section 24 ( 1 ). Accordingly a prescribed zone of 400 yard from the monument will be reserved and erection of buildings, carrying on of ruining, quarrying or blasting operations will be prohibited within such reserved zone.