CULTURAL IDENTITY AND HISTORICAL PRESERVATION IN PAKISTAN: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES
IDENTITAS BUDAYA DAN PELESTARIAN SEJARAH DI PAKISTAN: TANTANGAN DAN PELUANG
Keywords:
cultural heritage preservation, Pakistan, historical identity, community en-gagement, decolonizationAbstract
This qualitative study examines the complex interplay between cultural identity formation and historical preservation efforts in contemporary Paki-stan. As globalization intensifies, Pakistan faces significant challenges in preserving its rich historical legacy while adapting to modernization pres-sures. Through in-depth interviews with 37 heritage professionals, local community leaders, and policy-makers across four provinces, this re-search identifies key challenges including insufficient funding allocation, inconsistent preservation policies, limited public engagement, and the im-pacts of rapid urbanization on heritage sites. The findings reveal a discon-nection between national identity narratives and grassroots cultural preservation efforts, with particular emphasis on less-documented regional historical narratives. A framework for an integrated approach to historical preservation is proposed, highlighting the importance of community partic-ipation, technological integration, educational interventions, and sustaina-ble tourism practices. This study contributes to the growing discourse on decolonizing heritage practices in South Asia by centering local knowledge systems and addressing the power dynamics inherent in determining which histories are preserved and how they are interpreted.
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