ISLAMABAD: Nepal and Pakistan on Wednesday reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cultural cooperation.

Nepalese Ambassador Ms Rita Dhital met Federal Minister for National Heritage and Culture Aurangzeb Khan Khichi to discuss avenues and different aspects for enhancing bilateral cooperation in culture, heritage, and people-to-people engagement of the two countries.

During the meeting, the Nepalese Ambassador acknowledged the longstanding relationship between Nepal and Pakistan, built on mutual respect, goodwill and brotherhood. The ambassador highlighted the steady growth in bilateral engagement across trade, education, and people-to-people contacts, while stressing the value of exchanges in academia, media, sports, and cultural programs.

She commended Pakistan’s efforts under the minister’s leadership in the promotion, preservation, and conservation of culture, arts, museums, and Buddhist cultural heritage.

She also recalled key milestones in bilateral cultural cooperation, including the Cultural Agreement signed in May 1970, the continued work of the Nepal-Pakistan Friendship and Cultural Association in Kathmandu, and the 2018 Memorandum of Understanding between Nepal Academy and Pakistan Academy of Letters, which facilitated the translation of literary works such as The Voices of Nepali Poets.

The Ambassador noted Nepal’s active participation in Pakistan’s cultural initiatives, including the Artist Residency Program for South Asian Countries and the World Culture Festival 2025 held in Karachi.

During the meeting, the ambassador formally invited the federal minister to attend the International Vesak Day event to be held at the Taxila Museum on Friday, May 1, 2026.

The event is being jointly organised by the Embassies of Nepal, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, and Myanmar to mark the significance of Buddhist cultural heritage.

Federal Minister Aurangzeb Khan Khichi emphasised that Pakistan strongly believes in fostering people-to-people contacts as a cornerstone of diplomatic relations. He underlined the importance of cooperation between the cultural institutions of Pakistan and Nepal, particularly in the fields of music, arts, artifacts, and other cultural initiatives.

The minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening cultural ties with Nepal.

Highlighting Pakistan’s rich Buddhist heritage, the minister stated that the government has directed renewed efforts to showcase Buddhist civilisation as part of its broader policy to promote religious tourism.

He observed that Pakistan is home to invaluable Buddhist artefacts, including the renowned fasting Buddha sculptures, and remains dedicated to preserving and promoting this legacy.

Meanwhile, the Minister invited Nepal’s cultural troupes to visit Pakistan and stated that Pakistani troupes would also visit Nepal in order to foster cultural exchange between the two countries.

Published in Dawn, April 30th, 2026