Opinion 
 

Opinion

Museum of Diplomacy

While some of our institutions have embarked on documenting their history by creating museums, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has lagged behind. Thus, setting up a Ministry of Foreign Affairs Museum (MOFAM) is the need of the hour.

By Ambassador Attiya Mahmood | October 2024


Nations and civilizations are nourished and sustained by documented history and memories of their past. Those who don’t preserve their memories rely on half-baked, uninformed opinions and become a hotbed of hyperbole, creating confusion in society and misleading future generations.

The importance of preserving history and culture was not lost to the Egyptians, who established the first known museum in the 3rd century B.C. This trend was followed by major civilizations of the world, who have all documented the history of their social, political and cultural evolution.

Much is said about the British Museum, where many scholars go to consult history or write books. Pakistan is looking at celebrating its century as an independent country over two decades from now. It has witnessed events that have transformed the world, determined our relations with our neighbors and the world, and impacted our internal security. The circumstances surrounding such events and the policy formulation processes of the time remain largely hidden from the public, generating a sense of no-confidence and creating doubt about the government’s sincerity and decision-making. The U-2 incident of 1960, the whole Afghanistan saga, the 9/11 episode and many more can be better understood if how the policy was made at the time comes to life.

Indeed, some policymakers of the time have penned their memoirs, but much more needs to be done. Furthermore, since our independence, a new generation of policymakers and the public have emerged who are not personally privy to the happenings of our past. The shift from individuals who were witnesses to history to those who have either “heard” or “read” the stories of the past is perceptible and real. In another decade or so, more of these historical memories will fade and be removed from the public domain unless actions are taken to preserve important documents, archives, photos and other items of historical and public interest.


While some of our institutions, namely the State Bank of Pakistan, Air Force, Army, Navy and the Police, have embarked on documenting their history by creating museums, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has lagged behind. Furthermore, under the Right of Information Act 2013, government departments are now required to share information with the public, which is not being done.

Given the above, setting up a Ministry of Foreign Affairs Museum (MOFAM) is a must and need of the hour. The Pakistan Information Commission (PIC) has recently overturned the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ restrictive information request procedures under the Right to Information Act, 2017, as enshrined in the Constitution of Pakistan 1973. This makes it imperative that a museum is set up which caters to such requests and declassifies documents after a certain period of time.

The aim of MOFAM would be to make historical information available to better educate and inform the public and intelligentsia about policy-making processes and decisions made at critical junctures in our history.

A nation’s history is defined by informed opinion based on solid empirical evidence. In the absence of such evidence, speculation and exaggeration rule the roost. A museum displaying memorabilia, including documents, etc., will add to the sense of history and result in a more informed and educated public. It will also provide a wealth of information for research purposes.

The aim of MOFAM would be to make historical information available with a view to better educate and inform the public and intelligentsia regarding policy-making processes and decisions taken at critical junctures of our history and to provide a critical mass of information for writers, historians, commentators, researchers and students of history and international relations. In addition, the Museum will create a picture gallery, archives of important documents, a video gallery, interviews of decision-makers, an artifacts gallery, and an art gallery containing the collection of art belonging to the Foreign Ministry, along with a multi-purpose conference room and some offices. This can be housed in a custom-built museum on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs premises, with a lot of space.

The project may commence with forming a Governing Board (GB) composed of former foreign secretaries and other experts on the subject. The GB would develop the concept, identify the scope of work, draw a timeline, and lay down different requirements for the project, including funding.

Such a project can only be seen from a long-term perspective and has to go beyond the confines of any particular government. It would go a long way in visibly preserving the history of our international relations besides being the first of its kind in the region.

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