Islamabad, 31 January 2024 (WAI): In a positive turn, the USA and Pakistan signed a cultural property preservation agreement. U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan Donald Blome and Pakistan Secretary of National Heritage and Culture Humaira Ahmed signed the agreement in Islamabad on January 30, 2024.
The accord underscores the United States’ global commitment to cultural heritage protection and preservation and to restrict trafficking in cultural property.
The bilateral cultural agreement demonstrates the strong U.S. and Pakistani commitment to preventing the theft and trafficking of cultural objects. Under the agreement, both parties agreed to work together to counter the looting and trafficking of objects.
The agreement establishes import restrictions on certain archaeological and ethnological materials from Pakistan and entering the United States. Further, the agreement facilitates the return of these cultural objects to the people of Pakistan.
In addition, it promotes a clean market for Pakistani art and antiquities in the United States. It increases opportunities for U.S. museums and the American public to learn about and experience Pakistan’s history and culture.
In his commencement, Ambassador Bloom highlighted the importance of the agreement. He said, “This agreement protects unique and historically significant artifacts for future generations.
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It also demonstrates U.S. support for the principles of tolerance and respect for diversity – principles by which the people of this region have lived for centuries.”
Since 2001, the United States has significantly protected Pakistan’s rich and diverse cultural heritage. This support is depicted through the government-supported 35 cultural heritage preservation projects across Pakistan.
Some of these preservation projects include the conservation of Gandhara archaeological treasures and Mughal architectural heritage. It also provides for the documentation of historical manuscripts, the digitization of museums, and the restoration of historically significant Sufi shrines and Hindu monuments.
