Ambassador of Spain to Pakistan, H.E. Mr. Carlos Aragón Gil de la Serna, paid a courtesy call on Federal Minister for National Heritage and Culture, Aurangzeb Khan Khichi, at the Ministry on Wednesday to discuss avenues for enhancing bilateral cooperation in culture, heritage preservation, archaeology, museums, literature, education, and cultural diplomacy.
The meeting, reflected the shared commitment of Pakistan and Spain to further strengthen their longstanding friendly relations through deeper cultural engagement and institutional collaboration.
Welcoming the Ambassador, Federal Minister Aurangzeb Khan Khichi said Pakistan highly values its historic and cultural ties with Spain and is keen to expand cooperation in heritage conservation, archaeological research, museum development, literary exchanges, cultural festivals, and academic partnerships. He said culture serves as a bridge between nations and plays a vital role in promoting mutual understanding and strengthening people-to-people contacts.
The Minister recalled his visit to Barcelona and described it as a memorable experience, appreciating Spain's rich cultural heritage, hospitality, and architectural excellence. He also noted that a large Pakistani community is living and working in Spain, contributing positively in business and various professions, thereby further strengthening the bonds between the two countries. The Minister also expressed his appreciation for Spanish cuisine.
Highlighting the existing framework of bilateral cooperation, Aurangzeb Khan Khichi referred to the Memorandum of Understanding on Cultural, Educational and Scientific Cooperation signed in Madrid on 25 April 2007, noting that it provides for institutional exchanges, reciprocal visits of students and experts, academic cooperation, exchange of educational information, recognition of qualifications, and regular bilateral reviews to promote cultural activities.
Emphasizing the strong literary links between Pakistan and Spain, the Minister said the poetry and philosophy of Allama Muhammad Iqbal enjoy considerable recognition in Spain. He referred to Spanish translations of Iqbal's renowned works, including Masjid-i-Qurtaba and The Reconstruction of Religious Thought in Islam, and proposed enhanced collaboration among universities, libraries, and cultural institutions to promote Iqbal studies, literary exchanges, and translation projects.
The Federal Minister underlined Pakistan's immense archaeological wealth, particularly its Gandhara and Buddhist heritage, and invited Spain to collaborate in archaeological surveys, conservation projects, museum development, restoration of heritage sites, and professional capacity-building. He said such cooperation would contribute to preserving humanity's shared cultural heritage while creating new opportunities for academic research and cultural engagement.
To further institutionalize bilateral cooperation, the Minister proposed negotiating a new Memorandum of Understanding on Cultural and Heritage Cooperation between Pakistan's National Heritage and Culture Division and Spain's Ministry of Culture. The proposed agreement would cover joint archaeological surveys, conservation initiatives, museum exchanges, specialized training programmes for Pakistani experts, cultural festivals, art exhibitions, literary translations, and academic collaboration.
He also emphasized the importance of regular exchanges of promotional material, cultural exhibitions, archaeological displays, and academic delegations to further strengthen cultural diplomacy and showcase Pakistan's rich heritage to Spanish audiences.
Inviting the Ambassador to participate in the Ministry's flagship annual cultural event, Lok Mela, the Minister said the festival attracts millions of visitors every year, with around four million people attending the previous edition. He invited Spain to showcase its cultural heritage through traditional cuisine, music, dance, handicrafts, and other artistic expressions at the festival, saying such participation would further enhance cultural understanding between the two nations.
The Minister also introduced the Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA) and invited the Ambassador to visit its premier art gallery in Islamabad to explore opportunities for artistic collaboration and cultural exchanges.
Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador Carlos Aragón Gil de la Serna appreciated Pakistan's rich cultural and historical heritage and reaffirmed Spain's interest in expanding cooperation in culture, archaeology, heritage preservation, museums, education, and literary exchange. He said he has many close friends within the Pakistani community living in Spain and acknowledged their positive contribution to Spanish society.
The Ambassador highlighted Spain's rich Islamic heritage, particularly its historic Islamic monuments and calligraphic traditions, and expressed his desire to establish broader Pakistan-Spain cultural collaboration. He noted that Spain is home to one of the world's largest numbers of UNESCO-recognized heritage sites and remains committed to preserving and promoting its cultural legacy. He also shared that Spanish scholars are translating the philosophical works of Allama Muhammad Iqbal into Spanish, reflecting Iqbal's enduring intellectual and historical connection with Spain.
Referring to his visits to the museums in Peshawar and Taxila, Ambassador Carlos Aragón Gil de la Serna described them as a remarkable experience, praising Pakistan's Gandhara civilization and its rich archaeological heritage. He also admired Lahore's traditional kite-flying culture and appreciated the role of the National University of Modern Languages (NUML) in promoting international languages, noting that Spanish has become one of the increasingly popular foreign languages being studied in Pakistan.
During the meeting, Secretary, National Heritage and Culture Division, Asad Rehman Gillani, informed the Ambassador that Islamabad will host an International Writers' Conference and expressed the hope that prominent Spanish authors and literary figures would participate in the event. He also invited the Ambassador to visit the Gandhara Gallery at the Islamabad Museum, where recently repatriated antiquities are on display.
Concluding the meeting, both dignitaries agreed to remain in close contact and translate the ideas discussed into practical initiatives that would further strengthen cultural cooperation, deepen institutional linkages, and reinforce the longstanding friendship between Pakistan and Spain.
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