By Abdul Ghani

The federal government’s plan to establish the National Cultural Heritage Institute of Pakistan with $6.79 million assistance from South Korea has stalled, as the Capital Development Authority (CDA) has yet to hand over the required land despite receiving payments, according to a document available with Wealth Pakistan.

The proposed institute, aimed at strengthening Pakistan's cultural heritage infrastructure, is to be established at Shakarparian, Islamabad, on the site earmarked for the National Museum of Pakistan.

However, despite clearing outstanding payments, the CDA has yet to hand over possession of an additional 5.09 acres of land, putting both the museum project and the South Korean-funded initiative at risk.

The document shows that the Record of Discussion between Pakistan and South Korea has already been signed, formalising cooperation on the proposed institute.

The document warns that any further delay in transferring the land could result in the loss of international financial assistance, dealing a setback to the country's efforts to preserve and promote its cultural heritage.

According to the document, the Department of Archaeology and Museums (DOAM) initially acquired 3.24 acres of land at Shakarparian in 2005 to construct the National Museum of Pakistan.

Subsequently, following recommendations of the Conceptual Plan Committee, an additional 5.09 acres were proposed, increasing the total project area to 8.33 acres.

To implement the project, the government approved a PC-II worth Rs122.6 million, covering consultancy services, acquisition of additional land and annual ground rent.

Of the approved amount, Rs105.6 million has already been paid to the CDA against outstanding dues, ground rent and the principal cost of the additional land.

Another Rs7.6 million has been paid to the Pakistan Council of Architects and Town Planners (PCATP) for an architectural design competition.

This brings the documented expenditure under the approved PC-II to Rs113.3 million.

Despite these payments, the additional land has not been handed over to the Department of Archaeology and Museums, leaving the National Museum and the Korean grant-in-aid projects in limbo.

The document further discloses that no funds have been allocated for the National Museum of Pakistan project in the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) portfolio of the National Heritage and Culture Division for the financial year 2026-27.

The absence of fresh development funding, coupled with the unresolved land possession issue, raises concerns over the government's ability to move forward with the long-delayed museum project.

The proposed National Cultural Heritage Institute of Pakistan is expected to form part of broader efforts to strengthen institutional capacity for cultural heritage preservation, though the official document does not specify its facilities, operational structure or implementation timeline.

Credit: INP-WealthPk