Pakistan’s National Archives Undergoes Monumental Conservation Effort
Behind rows of metal shelving inside Pakistan’s National Archives in Islamabad, climate‑controlled, acid‑free containers safeguard fragile newspapers, age‑old manuscripts, and private records that capture the lives and decisions of many of the nation’s leading personalities.
Precise preservation demands meticulous handling. Conservators carefully detach deteriorating tape, neutralize residual acidity, and mend tears—often dedicating multiple days to even a single item before it may be safely stored behind the shelves.
The project preserves evidence of Pakistan’s emergence as an independent state in 1947 and the broader regional intellectual and cultural heritage. Alongside its political collections, the repository houses Persian and Arabic manuscripts on topics including religion, medicine, and astronomy, as documented in its public catalog.
“We confront a wide spectrum of deterioration, from highly brittle sheets to heavy tape bindings. While some materials remain stable, others require extensive restoration time—sometimes taking two to three days per document versus thirty to sixty minutes for a standard file,” said Muhammad Yusuf Jameel, 29, a preserver with seven years of experience at the Archive.
Each document’s condition dictates its treatment. Factors such as paper composition, ink quality, and previous repairs influence the methods applied to prevent further harm.
A notable example is a record from Fatima Jinnah’s 1965 presidential campaign against military ruler Ayub Khan—a candid statement in which she declares, “Personally speaking, I have never entertained political ambition. I have decided to answer the call and come forward to do my duty… I accept the responsibility that comes with it.”
Preserving such primary sources enables scholars to reconstruct political history through the voices of those who shaped the era.
The archive also safeguards the Quaid‑e‑Azam Papers—letters, speeches, and other items related to Muhammad Ali Jinnah—as well as materials from the Muslim League. Its catalogue lists Jinnah papers spanning 1892 to 1948 and the Fatima Jinnah collection from 1908 to 1967.
Deputy Director Asim Ali Khokhar notes that some manuscripts date back 300 to 400 years, encompassing Persian and Arabic works, as well as farmans and parwanas (historical decrees and administrative orders). These older documents reveal insights into the region’s languages, societies, cultures, and governance long before modern national boundaries existed.
REPAIRING THE PAPER, PROTECTING THE RECORD
During conservation, damaged materials undergo thorough examination, chemical treatment, de‑acidification, tissue reinforcement, drying, and pressing. The team employs Japanese‑imported tissues and preservation chemicals supplied by a German manufacturer.
“Upon receiving a new item, we conduct a detailed inspection. If the ink is fading, specialized chemicals are applied to restore it. Once the acidity is removed, the document is laid flat and addressed with filtered textiles; when ripping is necessary to stabilize fibers, additional tissue is introduced, trimming and pressing follow to secure the sheet.”
Complex adhesive tapes pose the toughest obstacle. “Examination of condition is critical. Removing various types of tape, considering their composition, represents a significant challenge,” Jameel explained.
Khokhar reports that more than 6,000 documents have been conserved, though the exact scope varies. Specifically, 1,366 files of the Quaid‑e‑Azam Papers have been restored, with additional materials still awaiting conservation attention.
Without appropriate storage, treated documents can deteriorate again. “Once a document is restored, a suitable environment ensures its longevity—potentially a century or more,” stated Khokhar. The Archive maintains ambient humidity between 45 % and 55 % and temperature between 22 °C and 24 °C, employing acid‑free corrugated boxes, dehumidifiers, humidity monitors, and air‑conditioning units to protect collections.
Digitization adds a protective layer: researchers can access high‑resolution digital copies, reducing the need for physical handling of fragile originals.
“Even after digital capture, the originals must be preserved; they cannot be discarded,” emphasized Khokhar. “Our heritage remains living only if we honor the responsibility to protect the actual sources.”