Panel told Korean-funded institute, museum complex stalled over land

The National Assembly Standing Committee on National Heritage and Culture was told on Wednesday that a $6.79 million Korean-funded research institute and a planned National Museum of Pakistan complex in Islamabad are held up by unresolved land approvals and possession, even though the required land costs and charges have been paid.

CDA Chairman Lt Sohail Ashraf (Retd) told the committee, chaired by Nosheen Iftikhar, that the authority had not yet handed over an additional 5.09 acres at Shakarparian, one of the obstacles to the projects.

Ashraf said a high-level meeting on September 24 discussed plans to set up the National Museum of Pakistan and an integrated museum complex in the capital. Business Recorder named the meeting's chairs as Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and National Heritage and Culture Minister Aurangzeb Khichi.

According to Ashraf, the meeting proposed grouping several cultural and historical institutions at one site: the National Museum of Pakistan, a National History Museum, an Islamic Museum, museums for the Army, Navy and Air Force, and the Korean Research Centre.

Ashraf said 160 acres had been identified at Malpur for the complex, but approval, allotment and transfer of possession were still pending. An earlier plan to build on 8.33 acres at Shakarparian was dropped because the site lies inside Shakarparian National Park; that land had already been acquired by the Department of Archaeology and Museums.

The concept and preliminary plan have been shared with a consultant engaged by the CDA to design the complex, and design work is under way, Ashraf said. He offered to present the proposed design to committee members himself.

Minute Mirror reported that the committee expressed concern at the slow progress and asked the CDA for details of the land arrangements. It also reported that the September 24 meeting was held at the Jinnah Convention Centre.

The committee reviewed progress at the National Library of Pakistan. Officials said sanitation had improved, four water coolers, 52 lockers and 16 CCTV cameras had been installed, and an initial digital membership system developed. A voluntary CSS guidance programme began on October 1, 2026, using existing resources, with attendance monitored and regular assessments planned.

The committee asked for a detailed report within one month on the condition and working status of all elevators at the library, and decided its performance would remain a regular item on the agenda of every meeting.

The Ministry of National Heritage and Culture told the committee it had introduced preventive measures and coordination with other departments against illegal trade in cultural property, with procedures for checking the authenticity of antiquities through qualified professionals. The ministry said 1,258 artefacts had been brought back to Pakistan from the United Kingdom, the United States, Italy and France over the last five years.

Members criticised the ministry's preparations for Iqbal Day, saying directions issued at the previous two meetings had not been implemented satisfactorily. They recommended that schools, colleges and universities hold speech competitions and quizzes rather than only marking a public holiday. The committee directed the ministry to arrange as many programmes as possible for Iqbal Day and to involve the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.