US launches Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation in Balochistan

U.S. Pledges $320K to Balochistan’s Mehrgarh Museum 

Staff Report

U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan Donald Blome, along with Chief Minister of Balochistan Ali Mardan Khan Domki, inaugurated the Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation in Balochistan, marking the first-ever project of its kind in the region.

The initiative allocates more than $320,000 to safeguard Neolithic and other archaeological artifacts belonging to the Mehrgarh civilization and enhance curation at the Mehrgarh Museum in Quetta.

Ambassador Blome emphasized the United States’ commitment to the cultural heritage of Balochistan and the promotion of a deeper understanding of its history through this endeavor.

The United States has committed over $8 million for 33 cultural heritage projects across Pakistan, including the restoration of Varun Dev Temple, Frere Hall, the Nusserwanjee Building, and the tombs of Sultan Ibrahim and Amir Sultan Muhammad at the UNESCO World Heritage Site Makli Hill necropolis in Sindh province.

The launch event, attended by U.S. Consul General Karachi Conrad Tribble, officials from the Government of Balochistan Culture Department, and Sindh Exploration and Adventure Society (SEAS) co-founders Dr. Kaleemullah Lashari and Dr. Asma Ibrahim, featured an overview of Mehrgarh’s history and the Mehrgarh Museum of Balochistan.

Established in September 2022, the Mehrgarh Museum of Balochistan showcases the pre-and early history of the region. US Extends Deadline for Pakistan Fish Exports

Mehrgarh artifacts hold global significance and are exhibited in prestigious museums such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and the Musée Guimet in Paris, emphasizing Pakistan’s archaeological importance on the world stage.

The U.S. grant will contribute to enhancing the museum’s displays, improving community outreach efforts, and providing professional development training for the staff of the Balochistan Directorate of Archaeology.

This AFCP project, conducted in collaboration with the Government of Balochistan Culture Department and SEAS, aims to preserve the cultural landscape of the region.