Mehrgarh restored, its treasures at risk

KARACHI:

While an American-funded initiative has breathed new life into Balochistan's Mehrgarh Museum, concerns over the alleged plundering of the archaeological site itself have raised questions about the protection of one of South Asia's oldest civilisations.

The completion of the preservation and enhancement project was marked on Saturday at Karachi's iconic Frere Hall, where US Chargé d'Affaires Natalie Baker, alongside project leads Dr Asma Ibrahim and Dr Kaleemullah Lashari, unveiled a commemorative plaque destined for the museum's entrance in Quetta.

The US government's Ambassador's Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP) provided $320,470 for the initiative, its first-ever project in Balochistan. Over the past 25 years, the fund has committed $8.4 million to 35 cultural preservation projects across Pakistan.

Baker said the occasion marked 25 years of Pakistan-US collaboration under the AFCP, adding that both countries would celebrate 80 years of diplomatic relations in 2027. She said the project would enable the museum to showcase Mehrgarh's 8,000-year-old heritage while demonstrating how American expertise could preserve history, create jobs and strengthen communities.