KARACHI: The Federal Ministry of National Heritage and Culture and Aga Khan University (AKU) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to upgrade the National Museum of Pakistan.

A ceremony in this respect was held at the AKU campus on Friday, which was attended by Aurangzeb Khan Khichi, the federal minister for national heritage and culture, officials representing the AKU and the Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC) and other stakeholders.

“By revitalising the national museum, we are not just preserving artefacts; we are creating a world-class centre of learning and inspiration that will showcase Pakistan’s rich history to the world and foster a deeper sense of unity and connection among our citizens,” the minister said.

The project aims to upgrade the museum through a comprehensive programme of institutional strengthening, with a focus on curatorial enhancement, public engagement and improved stewardship of the museum’s collections. The partners seek to support the museum’s role in preserving, presenting and sharing Pakistan’s cultural heritage with wider and more diverse audiences.

To oversee these efforts, an advisory committee has been established, co-chaired by Vice Provost AKU Prof Anjum Halai and Director General of Archaeology and Museums Amanullah.

“Museums play an important role in education in society through promoting an understanding of one’s culture and heritage,” noted Mr Halai in his remarks.

Under the partnership, AKU and other agencies of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) will provide strategic, technical, and advisory support to the upgradation of the national museum.

The project will bring together the history faculty of AKU’s Faculty of Arts and Sciences, historians at AKU’s Institute for the Study of Muslim Civilizations in London, and AKU’s Department of Archives in a focused scholarly collaboration.

Published in Dawn, January 25th, 2026