The Minister of Foreign Affairs reaffirms his commitment to the preservation and further promotion of ancient archaeological and civilizational heritage

The International Conference on ‘Celebrating Pakistan’s Ancient Archaeological and Civilizational Heritage’, organized by ISSI, concluded with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan, Ms. Amna Baloch, reaffirming the commitment to preserving and promoting the rich archaeological and civilizational heritage of Pakistan. The one-day conference attracted a significant gathering of diplomats, cultural experts and academics, underscoring the keen interest in exploring, preserving and promoting Pakistan’s rich archaeological and civilizational heritage.

The opening session, addressed by Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed and Federal Secretary for National Heritage and Culture, Hassan Nasir Jamy, was followed by three insightful working sessions.

During the closing session, Foreign Minister Amna Baloch expressed her deep pride in the country’s rich and multi-layered heritage. She highlighted how the ancient civilizations of the Indus Valley and Gandhara, which flourished in present-day Pakistan, continue to inspire modern society. The Foreign Minister emphasized the importance of preserving heritage, noting that the values ​​of innovation, resilience and coexistence found in these ancient cultures are still relevant today. She called for a balanced approach to conservation, tourism and development, ensuring that Pakistan’s cultural assets are safeguarded for future generations. She praised ISSI’s initiative to focus on this issue. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, she assured, would remain a committed stakeholder and partner in these efforts, working closely with local communities and international experts to protect and promote Pakistan’s shared heritage.

Earlier, the first working session titled ‘Journey through the Ancient Treasures of Pakistan’ was moderated by Mr. Zafarullah Siddiqui, former Joint Secretary for Development. Dr. Muhammad Hameed, chairman of the Department of Archeology, University of Punjab, called for new expeditions and restoration of monuments, stressing the need for cooperation between heritage and tourism sectors. He also emphasized the importance of heritage as national pride. Prof. Ruth Young, professor of archeology at the University of Leicester, UK, underlined the importance of religious sites, especially Buddhist sites, in shaping Pakistan’s identity. She acknowledged the government’s efforts to use heritage to enhance Pakistan’s global image. Mr Anjum Javaid, Deputy Director of the Directorate General of Archaeology, highlighted Harappa’s advanced urban planning and urged pride in the Indus Civilization, which he said surpasses the Egyptian and Mesopotamian heritage. Professor Hridaya Bajracharya, former Vice Chancellor of Lumbini Buddhist University, Nepal, highlighted the shared heritage between Nepal and Pakistan’s Gandhara civilization, emphasizing the importance of celebrating Gandhara’s cultural influence and its potential to promote shared stories.

The second working session was titled ‘Reflecting on Pakistan’s Rich Heritage’ and moderated by Dr. Abdul Samad, Directorate of Archeology KPK. Ms Heba Hashmi, maritime archaeologist and CEO of Heritage Archeology Cultural Heritage Associates, outlined conservation strategies, including digital heritage trails, and climate change adaptation. She emphasized the need for flood risk management in archaeological efforts. Professor Luca Maria Oliveri, director of the Italian Archaeological Mission in Pakistan, highlighted the mission’s start in 1955 in the Swat Valley, where late ancient Swat and Himalayan Buddhism was explored. He emphasized that nature reserves can become a training center for developing new professionals. Ms. Kiran Afzal, Senior Private Sector Specialist at the World Bank, highlighted the Bank’s efforts in preserving historic sites in Punjab and KP, with a focus on job creation and promotion of tourism. She emphasized the need for more resources due to rising maintenance costs and noted the success of solarization of sites and cooperation between KP and Punjab. Ms. Parveen Talpur, historian and archaeologist based in the US, highlighted the historical significance of the region, the overlap of Buddhism and the Indus Civilization in Mohenjo-Daro, and called for digital preservation. She emphasized on protecting cultural artifacts from smuggling and theft.

The third working session entitled ‘Building Bridges Through Cultural Tourism’ was moderated by Mr. Amir Jahangir, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Mishaal, Pakistan, the partner institution of the World Economic Forum.