Pakistan and the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art have pledged to strengthen their cultural collaboration, aiming to showcase Pakistan’s rich heritage to a wider international audience.

Ambassador of Pakistan to the United States, Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, visited the museum, emphasizing the nation”s “timehonored traditions” and cultural diversity. Ambassador Sheikh described Pakistan as a “bastion of cultural and religious diversity,” expressing eagerness to share its heritage globally. This collaboration seeks to establish a framework for cooperation in culture, arts, and heritage. The ambassador underscored the initiative as a starting point for a robust relationship with the museum, focused on highlighting Pakistan”s unique artistic traditions and history.

National Museum of Asian Art Director, Chase F. Robinson, welcomed the Pakistani delegation and expressed enthusiasm for the partnership. He highlighted the museum”s mission of promoting unity through culture and provided an overview of its extensive collections, including artifacts from Pakistan.

Ambassador Sheikh stressed the significance of cultural exchange, referring to culture as an instrument for peace and international understanding. He proposed the idea of a joint virtual symposium to showcase key artifacts from Pakistan”s past, including the Gandhara and Indus Valley civilizations, Mughal era, and its film industry.

The Pakistani delegation toured the museum”s collections, focusing on the Gandhara gallery and the Islamic Arts Center, which display artifacts relevant to Pakistan’s history. Ambassador Sheikh concluded the visit by reiterating the embassy’s commitment to formalizing the partnership and creating a system to facilitate future exhibitions of Pakistani art and artifacts at the Smithsonian.