Govt body to regulate private museums

In the first phase, all private museums will be registered, their collections digitised

With over a dozen private museums existing in the country, a body will be formed to register these establishments and ensure they preserve their collections for future generations to connect.

This was agreed upon during a meeting in Islamabad of the Culture, Heritage and Tourism department. It was attended by Museums Association of Pakistan (MAP), archaeologist, academics and heritage management officials.

The meeting discussed an idea presented by MAP about the establishment of private museums directorate to protect and preserve private collections for future generations and to connect the missing links of history. It was disclosed that in Pakistan, there are more than 40 private museums which need special attention to bring them into the national mainstream.

NTCB culture coordinator Huma Mustafa Beg said that the heritage of Pakistan is unique in all aspects and museums are the custodians of this history.

MAP Secretary General Mian Attique said that their body is striving to document and digitise private museums and collections in the country.

New doors for research and history will open in the heritage sector if private museums are registered, said former vice-chancellor and archaeologist Professor Dr Ihsan Ali.

All participants discussed in detail, the proposed working and strategy for private museums.

They agreed to establish a forum to register and regulate private museums with its headquarters in the federal capital.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 30^th, 2020.