Chief Minister

Services

Development Projects

Budget

Contacts

Others

Culture, Tourism and Archive Department

Balochistan is the cradle of 9000 years old Mehrgarh civilization. There are numerous archeological sites dated back to antiquity, hosting valuable cultural treasures. Balochitherim, the huge mammal of rhinoceros family, weighing about 30 tons was roaming here 26 millions years ago. Purfume was exported from Nal Balochistan to Iraq and Syria 2500 years back. Alexander passed through the coastal belt of Balochistan in 325 B.C covering a long trail. Tribal culture, nomadism and a host of rich traits,Balochi, Pashto and Brahvi languages, literature,music, folklore, legends, proverbs customs, traditions etc. form the magnificient rich cultural treasures of Balochistan.

Similarly a rich archaic treasure is preserved and maintained for posterity. Its major bulk consists of colonial documents.

Similarly Balochistan is blessed with numerous tourist attraction sites. More than 770 k.m long coastal belt is a unique fascination offering interesting landscapes. Besides, Juniper forest of Ziarat and Harboi, camel caravan trails and surrounding nomadic belts, Chaman geological fault, caves, mining tourism, festivals of Sibi and other areas, all present a unique and long lasting tourism fascination, blended with the traditional hospitality, good food and affordable costs.

The Department of Culture, Archives and Tourism therefore, strives to protect the cultural heritage of Balochistan, both tangible as well as intangible, and promote tourism in the province. The upcoming Gwader project, Coastal highway and communication linkages connection Pakistan to central Asia will open up these wonderful sites to the whole world. Therefore, the role of the newly created departments is crucially tailored to meet present as well as ensuing challenges.

Function of the Department

The department functions through the following organs:

IDARA-E-SAQAFAT

This institution, situated in Quetta city, strives to:

· promote cultural activities in the province;

· highlight Balochistan’s distinct cultural heritage by arranging exhibitions, dances and music programmes featuring particularly folksongs;

· impart training in folk arts and fine arts including calligraphy;

· set up Balochistan pavilion on occasions like Lok Mela at Islamabad, and provincial float on 23rd March parade; and

· facilitate national and foreign cultural troupes during their visits to Balochistan.

PROVINCIAL LIBRARY

In 1956, a Usis Center was established to serve as library. It was handed over to Education department Balochistan in 1971 and was renamed as Provincial Library in 1985. The Provincial library has a collection of 67251 books. Fourteen (14) newspapers / magazines have been subscribed to the library.

The Provincial Library has long been a precious source of diverse information embodied in books, magazines, newspapers, periodicals, encyclopedias and other reading material. The Library has facilities like photocopying and scanning etc.

ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM

The Museum is engaged in collecting and acquiring archaeological and historical relics and exhibits. Excavation at archaeological sites, interpretation of remains of buildings and objects of ancient times, and projection of cultural heritage of the province are other tasks being dispensed with conscientiously.

ARCHIVES DIRECTORATE

This wing are acquires and maintains records for research and administrative purposes. It is the custodian of a substantial archival material produced during the colonial period. Chief functions of this wing are:

· Acquisition/collections of important archival, cultural and education resources, which are presently lying in different departments, Divisional & District Headquarters of Balochistan.

· The management and preservation of the archival records of the Government.

· After management & preservation of record its utilization for historical research, administration and planning purposes.

· Development of a record management system so that all departments should transfer their all non-current records/files to the Directorate of Archives & District Headquarters for proper weeding, classification and maintenance.

· Preparation of finding aids, guides for easy access of the researchers, historian, journalist and general public.

· Acquisition and preservation of private collections of historical importance, such as important tribal families’ papers.

· Oral Archives i.e. collection of sound recordings of speeches, interviews of eminent provincial leaders.

· Microfilming of sensitive records of Government and other private records of National importance.

· Acquisition of Government printed material/ publications, newspapers and periodicals and their maintenance.

· Maintenance of Archival Library for use of research scholars, and

· To organize seminars, exhibitions, and short term practical training courses for awareness of archives and its importance.

The Archive department has so far reprinted/distributed the following historical/rare books:

· Gazetteer of Balochistan 1906 (12 volumes)

· Balochistan Agency Administration Reports 1886-1944 (47 vol.)

· Kandhar Newsletters 1883-1905 (10 volumes)

· Confidential Diaries of Balochistan (1900-02,1905-08, 1930-33) (3 volumes)

Other worth mentioning rare collections include:

· Census reports of Balochistan (1901, 1911, 1921, 1931, 1941) (5 volumes)

· Report on Earth Quack 1935

· Report on McMahon Museum at Quetta

The department has cataloged 27,000 files for research papers in addition to 29,000 files of defunct commissioners’ office. It has established the Balochistan Secretariat Library of rare books.

TOURISM

Main functions of the wing are:

· To promote and develop tourism in Balochistan.

· To establish the requisite infrastructure for tourism promotion.

· To develop tourism related commercial projects.

· To develop tourist facilities: Hotels, rest houses, and restaurants.

· To set up Tourist Information Centres to provide relevant information.

To project and publicize tourist facilities with a view to attract both domestic and foreign tourists.

Departments

Agriculture