The Journey of a WWI Memorial in Islamabad

Islamabad debates the removal of a World War I memorial, weighing heritage, development, and how the city remembers its past.

For years, the World War I memorial near Rehara village stood quietly above the surrounding land, a small but enduring reminder of local soldiers who once left these villages for a distant war. This week, its dismantling placed the monument at the centre of a wider public debate, with questions emerging about whether it was […]

Pakistan’s Heritage and Rights Ethos: Unlocking Cultural Diplomacy

Pakistan’s Heritage and Rights Ethos: Unlocking Cultural Diplomacy

Pakistan’s diverse cultural heritage, from the hospitality of Pashtunwali and Sufi music in Sindh to folk traditions in Punjab, Balochistan, and Gilgit–Baltistan, reflects an enduring rights-based ethos. These living practices promote dignity, justice, and social inclusion. By integrating these traditions into cultural diplomacy, Pakistan can showcase its soft power while supporting custodians of heritage, artisans, and local communities.