Quetta, November 7,2026: US Chargé d’Affaires Natalie Baker joined Balochistan Parliamentary Secretary Nawabzada Mir Muhammad Zarain Khan Magsi and representatives of the Sindh Exploration and Adventure Society (SEAS) to mark the completion of a US-funded cultural preservation project at the Mehrgarh Museum.
The project, supported by the US Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP), marks the first-ever initiative of its kind in Balochistan. Implemented in collaboration with SEAS and the Balochistan Culture Department, it aimed to preserve the province’s rich archaeological heritage and improve the museum’s capacity to protect and showcase its historic collections.
Under the project, ancient Neolithic and archaeological artefacts associated with the Mehrgarh civilisation were preserved, museum curation was upgraded to international standards, and community outreach activities were expanded. The initiative also included training for local heritage professionals to ensure the long-term preservation and care of the collections.
With the completion of the project, the AFCP programme now has a presence in all four provinces of Pakistan, reflecting the United States’ continued commitment to protecting the country’s cultural heritage.
Speaking at the ceremony, Baker highlighted the role of American expertise in delivering lasting results through cultural preservation initiatives, saying such projects also helped build trust and strengthen ties between the people of the two countries.
“Today, we are thrilled that, through American excellence in museums and heritage preservation, the Mehrgarh Museum of Balochistan will showcase the 8,000-year-old Mehrgarh civilization and many others,” she said.
Baker added that projects of this nature produced tangible benefits by preserving history, creating employment opportunities and strengthening local communities.
“Together, the United States and Pakistan are making real progress in protecting this remarkable legacy,” she said.
During the ceremony, Baker, Parliamentary Secretary Magsi and project leads Dr. Asma Ibrahim and Dr. Kaleemullah Lashari unveiled a commemorative plaque at the museum, which is located in Quetta.
The museum is scheduled to officially reopen later this month, providing visitors with an opportunity to explore and learn about the ancient Mehrgarh civilisation and the region’s archaeological heritage.
