Islamabad: Federal Minister for National Heritage and Culture, Aurangzeb Khan Khichi, met with U.S. Charge d’Affaires to Pakistan, Natalie A. Baker, to discuss enhancing bilateral cooperation in cultural heritage preservation, museum development, and cultural exchanges. The discussions emphasized the importance of preventing illicit trafficking of cultural property and showcased ongoing efforts to preserve Pakistan’s archaeological legacy.

According to Press Information Department, the meeting highlighted the successful implementation of the Pakistan-U.S. Cultural Property Agreement and the return of smuggled artifacts. The Minister expressed gratitude for the U.S.’s role in repatriating antiquities and proposed organizing a Pakistan-U.S. Cultural Week to celebrate shared traditions. Meanwhile, Baker reaffirmed the U.S.’s commitment to cultural cooperation, suggesting the development of a joint calendar for cultural activities and public-private partnerships involving U.S. companies in Pakistan.

Secretary of the National Heritage and Culture Division, Asad Rehman Gillani, emphasized efforts to recover cultural property and the planned exhibition at the Pakistan National Council of the Arts in October. Both sides committed to strengthening institutional cooperation and cultural diplomacy to foster mutual understanding and goodwill between the two nations.