The Dr. N.A. Baloch Institute of Heritage Research, alongside the University of Sindh, hosted the launch of Dr. Zulfiqar Ali Kalhoro’s new book, Stones That Speak: Rock Carvings of the Taki Valley, Sindh. The ceremony brought together scholars and students to celebrate this landmark documentation of the region’s ancient rock art and cultural history.
Jamshoro, Sindh
‘Stones That Speak: Rock Carvings of the Taki Valley, Sindh’, a latest book, authored by renowned anthropologist and heritage researcher Dr. Zulfiqar Ali Kalhoro, was launched on Tuesday October 14, 2026. Dr. Zulfiqar is author 17 books on Pakistan’s cultural heritage and anthropology.
The Dr. N.A. Baloch Institute of Heritage Research, Jamshoro, in collaboration with Department of Anthropology and Archaeology, University of Sindh organized the launching ceremony of the book.
The ceremony brought together faculty members and students of the Department of Anthropology and Archaeology, University of Sindh, to celebrate a significant contribution to the documentation of Pakistan’s cultural heritage.
Welcoming the participants, Dr. Arshad Baloch, Deputy Director of the Institute, highlighted the mission of the Dr. N.A. Baloch Institute of Heritage Research in documenting, preserving, and publishing Sindh’s rich intellectual and cultural heritage. He noted that this is the third scholarly book by Dr. Zulfiqar Ali Kalhoro published by the Institute, reflecting its commitment to producing high-quality academic publications through a rigorous review and editorial process. He encouraged researchers to contribute original scholarship that advances knowledge on Sindh’s history, heritage, and culture.
Hakim Ali Rahujo, Director of the Institute, formally welcomed the guests, and students who attended the ceremony as part of the course Anthropology of Art and Music. He highlighted the Institute’s pioneering role in safeguarding the scholarly legacy of Dr. N.A. Baloch through research, publications, archives, documentation, and preservation of Sindh’s cultural heritage.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Abdul Razaque Channa, Chairman, Department of Anthropology & Archaeology, lauded the services of Dr. Zulfiqar Ali Kalhoro in the field of anthropology, describing him as one of Pakistan’s most prolific anthropologists and heritage scholars whose decades of fieldwork have significantly expanded knowledge of Sindh’s archaeology, rock art, architecture, and living cultural traditions. He remarked that he has known Dr. Kalhoro since 2002 as a dedicated researcher, inspiring teacher, accomplished author, and above all, a generous friend who has devoted his life to documenting the cultural landscapes of Pakistan.
Dr. Channa observed that Stones That Speak is far more than a catalogue of rock carvings. Based on nearly three decades of exploration across the Khirthar Mountains, the book documents previously unrecorded petroglyphs and interprets them through archaeological, anthropological, and ethnographic perspectives. It demonstrates how the mountains of Sindh preserve a continuous visual history spanning prehistoric hunting scenes, symbols, religious motifs, pastoral traditions, and even contemporary engravings, reminding readers that landscapes themselves are living archives of human memory.
Dr. Muhammad Rafique Wassan appreciated the author’s meticulous field documentation and encouraged students to learn directly from scholars whose work is grounded in long-term field research. He emphasized that such publications inspire young researchers to undertake original studies on Pakistan’s rich archaeological and anthropological heritage.
Dr. Muhabat Ali Shah remarked that documenting heritage is not merely an academic exercise but a responsibility toward future generations. He noted that books of this nature preserve knowledge that might otherwise disappear with time.
Dr. Zahida Rehman Jatt congratulated the author and the Institute for producing a publication of international scholarly value. She encouraged students to cultivate reading habits and participate actively in research that contributes to understanding society, culture, and history.
The ceremony was attended by Assistant Director Wajid Channa, Rehmatullah Rajar, Director of the Sindh Institute of Music and Performing Arts (SIMPA), and Ms. Quratulain, who encouraged students to engage with SIMPA and the Institute’s academic and cultural programs, emphasizing that heritage research, music, arts, and performance are interconnected expressions of civilization and identity.
Students of Anthropology and Archaeology actively participated in the discussion by sharing their reflections and raising questions. (Press Release)
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