PESHAWAR  - Ancient archaeological sites and historic buildings are now more preserved and protected, besides discouraging illegal excavation, and smuggling of antiques, under the new proposed Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Antiquity Act 2015.
The Antiquity Act, recently endorsed by the provincial cabinet, is good to prevent illegal demolition of historical buildings, structures, especially smuggling of antique and construction on ancient sites, said Azam Khan, Secretary Archaeology, Museums Tourism and Youth Affairs KPK, yesterday.
He said the strict penalty has been recommended in the proposed Act for those violating the rules. Under the new law, he said, it was proposed up to Rs.2 million, as penalty, against demolishing of historical building, illegal construction on archaeological sites, and smuggling of ancient objects as well.
He said that the KP government in collaboration with the Department of Archaeology, and other authorities concerned, has outlined an effective Antiquity Act 2015, which was formally presented in the provincial cabinet for approval. 
With the effective enforcement of the new Act, the Secretary expressed the hope that it would stop developers from demolishing historical heritages.
While commenting on the approval of KP Antiquity Act 2015, Director Archaeology and Archaeology, Dr Abdul Samad, said that the Act is more effective and rigid to prevent demolition of archaeological structures, and relics in the province.