Pakistan, Turkmenistan to Ink MoU on Arts and Culture Cooperation

ISLAMABAD, Oct 16, 2025 — Pakistan and Turkmenistan are set to formalise a new partnership in the fields of arts, literature, and heritage, with both sides preparing to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to deepen cultural cooperation and people-to-people ties.

Key Highlights:

• Both countries will sign an MoU for cultural cooperation for 2024–2026.
• The agreement covers arts, literature, heritage preservation, and artist exchanges.
• Turkmen Ambassador met Federal Minister Aurangzeb Khan Khichi to finalise details.
• Joint cultural festivals, exhibitions and exchange programmes planned.
• Turkmen delegation to participate in Lok Mela 2025 in Islamabad.

New Chapter in Cultural Relations

The development follows a meeting between Turkmenistan’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Atadjan Movlamov, and Federal Minister for National Heritage and Culture Aurangzeb Khan Khichi in Islamabad. The two sides agreed to nominate focal persons from their respective ministries to speed up the signing of the MoU.

Minister Khichi said Pakistan and Turkmenistan enjoy long-standing ties rooted in shared history, religion and culture, and that this cultural cooperation would mark the beginning of “a new era of friendship and engagement” between the two nations.

Exchange Programmes, Festivals and Joint Events

The proposed agreement includes exchange programmes for artists, writers and cultural delegations, along with joint exhibitions, literary translations, conferences, and artistic events showcasing shared heritage. Both countries plan to hold cultural festivals in each other’s capitals to promote tourism and artistic collaboration.

The Turkmen Ambassador welcomed the initiative and assured his government’s full cooperation in strengthening bilateral cultural and tourism ties.

Turkmen Participation in Lok Mela 2025

As part of the collaboration, Turkmenistan has accepted Pakistan’s invitation to participate in Lok Mela 2025, scheduled for November 7–16 at Lok Virsa, Islamabad. The minister also announced plans for a special cultural evening at the Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA), featuring performances and exhibits reflecting Pakistan’s rich 5,000-year-old civilisational heritage.

Cultural Ties and Regional Connectivity

Highlighting the TAPI gas pipeline project, Minister Khichi said cultural and heritage cooperation could complement regional economic initiatives. He noted that with a flight time of under two hours between the two countries, there is strong potential for tourism and cultural exchange.

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