Pakistan’s historic Lahore Museum is set for a major transformation under a multi-million-dollar modernisation project aimed at preserving its priceless collections while bringing the institution closer to international museum standards.
The 131-year-old museum, established in 1894, is one of Pakistan’s most important cultural institutions. Its collection contains around 60,000 artefacts, covering thousands of years of history and including Gandharan sculptures, Islamic art, miniature paintings, rare manuscripts, ancient coins and archaeological treasures.
The modernisation initiative has been launched by the Punjab government with support from UNESCO. The project is designed not only to improve the museum’s physical infrastructure but also to provide visitors with a more interactive and technology-driven experience.
Among the planned upgrades are QR-based audio guides, interactive digital displays and the complete digitisation of museum artefacts. These features are expected to make the museum’s collections more accessible to visitors while creating digital records that can support long-term preservation and research.
The project will also address important structural and conservation requirements. Roof waterproofing, improved drainage and upgrades to the internal climate-control system are planned to help protect delicate historical objects from humidity, temperature fluctuations and water damage.
Major structural restoration is also part of the programme, including the construction of a new connecting block linked through an underground tunnel. The improvements are expected to strengthen both the museum’s infrastructure and visitor facilities.
Contractors meeting the required Pakistan Engineering Council standards have been invited to submit prequalification applications through the Punjab government’s e-procurement system, with August 25, 2026 set as the submission deadline.
The ambitious project marks an important step toward preserving Lahore’s cultural heritage while modernising the visitor experience, potentially giving the country’s oldest major museum a new lease of life.
