Pakistan today formally signaled its readiness to sign a comprehensive cultural cooperation agreement with Turkmenistan, a move aimed at launching a “new chapter” in the relationship between the two nations, Federal Minister for National Heritage and Culture, Aurangzeb Khan Khichi, announced today.
The declaration was made during a meeting with Turkmenistan”s Ambassador to Pakistan, Atadjan Movlamov, at the minister”s office. Minister Khichi described the long-standing relations between the two countries as being deeply rooted in a shared history, faith, and culture.
The forthcoming “Programme on Cooperation in the Field of Culture (2024-2026)” is designed to promote mutual understanding and enhance cultural relations. According to Asad Rehman Gillani, Secretary of the National Heritage and Culture Division, the agreement envisions extensive collaboration in arts, literature, and heritage preservation. Key features include exchange programs for artists and writers, joint exhibitions, and the translation of literary works.
Minister Khichi emphasized the need to fortify people-to-people connections, suggesting that cultural exchange should parallel ongoing cooperation in trade and business. He pointed to the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline as a vital regional project and expressed a desire for similar ambitious collaborations in culture and heritage.
To facilitate greater interaction, the minister highlighted that the flight duration between the countries is under two hours, which should be leveraged to boost tourism. “Pakistan has a rich civilizational heritage of over 5,000 years, including the Gandhara, Harappa, and Mohenjo-Daro cultures, which are worth exploring,” he remarked.
In a concrete step to foster this exchange, Minister Khichi extended an invitation for Turkmenistan to participate in the upcoming Lok Mela 2025, scheduled for November 7-16 in Islamabad. Ambassador Movlamov accepted the invitation, assuring that a Turkmen delegation would attend the renowned cultural festival.
Further proposals included organizing joint cultural festivals in both countries and a special cultural evening at the Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA) for the diplomatic community. Both officials agreed to nominate focal persons from their respective ministries to expedite the finalization of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
Ambassador Movlamov affirmed his country”s full support for strengthening bilateral cultural and tourism ties, underscoring the potential for joint artistic initiatives to contribute to mutual economic development.