Today Islamabad Museum unveiled a new Digital Immersive Gallery that uses advanced digital technology to bring Gandhara heritage to life for local and international visitors. The gallery combines immersive storytelling with interactive 3D projections to illustrate the region’s long history from the third millennium BCE to the 17th century CE.
The inauguration was attended by SAPM/State Minister Huzaifa Rehman; Mr. Asad Rehman Gilani; Chairperson NA Standing Committee on Heritage and Culture Syeda Nosheen Iftikhar; the Secretary of the National Heritage and Culture Division; H.E. Mr. PARK Jelak, Acting Ambassador of the Republic of Korea; Mr. KIM Dongha, Executive Director of the Korea Heritage Agency; Mr. BAEK Kyung Hwan, Director International Cooperation at KHA; Islamabad-based heads of Korean ODA projects including KOICA, COPIA and EDCF; Dr. Park DONGHEE, Project Manager of KHA and his team; and Mr. Aman Ullah, Director General of the Department of Archaeology and Museums.
The Digital Immersive Gallery showcases how Buddhism once spread from Gandhara to the Korean Peninsula and commemorates the journeys of Korean monks who traveled to the region to study the Dharma. Visitors can interact with digital renderings of the Buddha and Bodhisattvas using simple gestures, experiencing art and history in new ways. The gallery also highlights Pakistan’s six UNESCO World Heritage Sites, offering a continuous narrative across millennia.
Officials noted that the gallery was established by the Korea Heritage Agency under a five-year ODA project of the Korea Heritage Service titled Development of Cultural Promotion and Tourism Resources of Gandhara Heritage of Pakistan. The State Minister praised the Republic of Korea’s support, saying the gallery will serve as a cultural bridge and strengthen bilateral ties through shared heritage and technology.
- Conservation and Analysis Laboratory (2022) Pakistan’s first advanced conservation facility for inorganic antiquities equipped with modern instruments.
- Training Workshops and Internships More than 125 conservators, curators and students trained nationwide in conservation sciences and practical techniques.
- Archaeological Research Center (2022) Fitted 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 Hands-on field training for students and young archaeologists using modern excavation methods.
Looking ahead, the Republic of Korea has approved a second project phase for 2026–2030. Plans include constructing the Pakistan Institute of Cultural Heritage Training and Research at Shakarparian, Islamabad, which will provide a permanent facility for heritage training, research and international collaboration and further strengthen Pakistan’s capacity in heritage management.
The inauguration concluded with a guided tour of the new gallery, where guests experienced firsthand the blend of technology and history that the Digital Immersive Gallery brings to the Islamabad Museum.
