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ISLAMABAD, Dec 18 (APP):Federal Minister for National Heritage and Culture, Aurangzeb Khan Khichi has offered Iran the establishment of an Iranian Book Corner at the National Library of Pakistan (NLP), similar to those set up for other countries, to further strengthen cultural ties between the two nations.
The offer was made during a meeting with an Iranian delegation in Islamabad. The minister also invited the delegation to visit the Islamabad National Museum and proposed the establishment of an Iranian Book Corner there as well.
The Iranian delegation was led by the Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Pakistan, Dr. Reza Amiri-Moghaddam, and was in Islamabad to attend an Iqbal Day conference organized by the National Language Promotion Department (NLPD), an attached department of the Ministry of National Heritage and Culture.
Speaking to the delegation, Aurangzeb Khan Khichi said that his recent visit to Iran was highly successful and would pave the way for expanding cultural exchanges between the two countries. He said such initiatives would further strengthen people-to-people contacts and mutual understanding.
The Iranian delegation welcomed the proposal for the Iranian Book Corner and assured the minister that work on the project would begin immediately.
The federal minister also directed the Director General of NLPD to take concrete steps to promote Pakistan’s culture at Islamabad International Airport.
He instructed that culture-themed images, paintings, and books be displayed, and a Book Corner be established at the airport to help project a positive image of Pakistan through its rich cultural heritage.
On the occasion, the minister appreciated the efforts of the Ministry of National Heritage and Culture, stating that nearly 800 valuable artifacts had been repatriated to Pakistan from various countries.
He noted that 270 artifacts were retrieved from Pakistan’s Embassy in Rome, a process that had remained pending for several years due to required permissions.
With the cooperation of the Italian government and the Ambassador of Italy to Pakistan, the longstanding issue was successfully resolved.
Aurangzeb Khan Khichi further announced that an exhibition showcasing these valuable artifacts would be organized at the Islamabad National Museum in February next year.