The inauguration ceremony of the Digital Immersive Gallery at the Islamabad Museum, Department of Archaeology and Museums (DOAM), was held today.
Distinguished attendees included SAPM/State Minister Huzaifa Rehman, Mr. Asad Rehman Gilani, Chairperson NA Standing Committee on Heritage and Culture Syeda Nosheen Iftikhar,Secretary, National Heritage and Culture Division; H.E. Mr. PARK Jelak, Acting Ambassador of the Republic of Korea in Islamabad; Mr. KIM Dongha, Executive Director, Korea Heritage Agency (KHA); Mr. BAEK Kyung Hwan, Director International Cooperation, KHA; Islamabad-based heads of the Korean ODA Projects (KOICA, COPIA, EDCF); Dr. Park DONGHEE, Project Manager of KHA along with his team; and Mr. Aman Ullah, Director General, DOAM, Islamabad.
The Digital Immersive Gallery has been established by the Korea Heritage Agency (KHA) under the five-year Official Development Assistance (ODA) Project (2021–2025) of the Korea Heritage Service (KHS), Government of the Republic of Korea, titled “Development of Cultural Promotion and Tourism Resources of Gandhara Heritage of Pakistan”.
This state-of-the-art gallery introduces visitors to Gandhara’s rich cultural legacy through advanced digital technology and immersive storytelling. Its content highlights the historical spread of Buddhism from Gandhara to the Korean Peninsula, recalling the journeys of Korean monks who traveled to Gandhara to study the Dharma. Through interactive 3D projections, visitors can engage with digital renderings of the Buddha and Bodhisattvas, brought to life with a simple wave of the hand. The gallery also showcases Pakistan’s six UNESCO World Heritage Sites, offering audiences a seamless journey from the 3rd millennium BCE to the 17th century CE.
Speaking on the occasion, the State Minister appreciated the Republic of Korea’s contribution to Pakistan’s cultural heritage, noting that the gallery will serve as a bridge between past and present and strengthen cultural ties between the two nations.
The Digital Immersive Gallery forms part of a larger ODA Project that has significantly enhanced Pakistan’s heritage management capacity. Key achievements include:
• Establishment of Conservation and Analysis Laboratory (2022): Pakistan’s first advanced conservation facility for inorganic antiquities, fully equipped with modern instruments.
• Training Workshops and Internships: Over 125 conservators, curators, and students trained nationwide in conservation sciences.
• Archaeological Research Center (2022): Equipped with drones, scanners, GNSS systems, and 3D modeling software, documenting 185 archaeological sites across Taxila, Central Gandhara, Swat Valley, and Islamabad.
• Pilot Excavation at Mankiala Stupa: Conducted with students and young archaeologists, providing hands-on training in modern excavation techniques.
Looking ahead, the Government of the Republic of Korea has approved the second phase of the project (2026–2030). Under this new phase, in addition to other activities, the construction of the Pakistan Institute of Cultural Heritage Training and Research at Shakarparian, Islamabad, has been included. This milestone initiative will provide Pakistan with a permanent facility dedicated to heritage training, research, and international collaboration.
The ceremony concluded with a tour of the new gallery, where guests experienced firsthand the innovative blend of technology and history that now enriches the Islamabad Museum.
