Pakistan expands Unesco world heritage tentative list

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has expanded its Unesco World Heritage tentative list from 25 to 37 properties with the inclusion of 12 new cultural and heritage sites, strengthening the country’s prospects for securing further international recognition for its historical and civilisational legacy.

According to a statement issued by the Ministry of National Heritage and Culture Division, the newly-added properties include the Archaeological Complex of Gor Khatri, Bazira-Barikot, Bhamala Buddhist Complex, Sethi House, Mai Qamro Mosque, Pharwala Fort, Rawat Fort, Tomb of Sultan Muqarrab Khan, Kot Diji Fort, Naukot Fort, Umerkot Fort and Kalasha Valley Cultural Landscape.

The additions were made in three phases this year, according to Unesco records. The Kalasha Valley Cultural Landscape was included on March 9, followed by Kot Diji, Naukot and Umerkot forts on March 18. The remaining eight properties were added on May 11.

The statement stated Federal Minister for National Heritage and Culture Aurangzeb Khan Khichi had given priority to documenting, conserving and promoting Pakistan’s cultural heritage, with the government viewing historic sites as notable assets for tourism, education, cultural diplomacy and sustainable economic development.

The latest additions also marked progress in documenting federally administered heritage. Four properties under the Federal Department of Archaeology and Museums such as Pharwala Fort, Mai Qamro Mosque, Tomb of Sultan Muqarrab Khan and Rawat Fort had been placed on the Unesco Tentative List for the first time.

According to the government, the 12 sites collectively represented the diversity of Pakistan’s heritage, ranging from ancient settlements and Gandharan Buddhist remains to Islamic architecture, historic forts and living indigenous traditions.

Five of the newly-listed properties were in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The Archaeological Complex of Gor Khatri reflected Peshawar’s long urban history and its importance as a crossroads linking the Indian subcontinent with Afghanistan and Central Asia.

Bazira-Barikot in Swat provided evidence of early settlement, urban development and successive cultural phases in the ancient Gandhara region. The site was also associated with the historical context of Alexander the Great’s campaign and the subsequent development of Gandharan civilisation.

The Bhamala Buddhist Complex in Haripur went on further depth to Pakistan’s Gandharan heritage portfolio, reflecting the development of Buddhist culture and the interaction between local and Hellenistic artistic traditions.

The ministry said the inclusion of the Kalasha Valley Cultural Landscape broadened the scope of Pakistan’s heritage representation by highlighting living indigenous traditions and cultural diversity alongside archaeological and architectural sites.

The Federal Department of Archaeology and Museums was additionally undertaking conservation and development work at Shah Allah Ditta Caves in Islamabad on the minister’s directions. The project aimed to preserve the historic site and develop it as a cultural tourism destination with improved visitor facilities and heritage interpretation.

Pakistan currently had six properties inscribed on the Unesco World Heritage List. The expanded tentative list provided a larger pool of documented heritage from which future nominations can be developed.

Meanwhile, preliminary assessment requests had been submitted to Unesco for the Archaeological Site of Ranigat in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the Port of Banbhore in Sindh. Their nomination dossiers were expected to be submitted for consideration under the Unesco World Heritage framework after completion of the preliminary assessment process.

According to the ministry, the expansion of the Tentative List was being viewed as an notable step towards strengthening Pakistan’s global heritage profile and creating new opportunities for tourism, cultural diplomacy and future World Heritage nominations.

Published in Dawn, August 19th, 2026