UNESCO has added twelve more Pakistani historical and cultural sites to its Tentative World Heritage List, giving further international recognition to the country's rich cultural heritage.

With the inclusion of the new sites, the total number of Pakistani sites on UNESCO's Tentative List has risen to thirty-seven.

The inclusion in the Tentative List is an important first step towards securing World Heritage status and will help highlight Pakistan's diverse cultural and historical heritage on the global stage.

The new sites include Kalash Valley in Chitral district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, historic forts of Kot Diji, Naukot and Umerkot in Sindh and Pharwala Fort, Rawat Fort and the Tomb of Sultan Muqarrab Khan in Punjab.

The inclusion of these Pakistani sites is expected to contribute to the preservation of the country's cultural heritage, promote tourism and local economies, and further strengthen Pakistan's identity and cultural diplomacy at the international level.