Dr. Muhammad Ilyas Bhatti

HoD, Tourism and Hospitality

Faculty of Management Sciences

Foundation University Islamabad

Dr. Muhammad Ilyas Bhatti is a globally-trained academic leader, anthropologist, and heritage specialist with a career spanning over 32 years. Currently serving as the Head of Department (HOD) for Tourism & Hospitality, he brings an unparalleled international perspective to the management of Pakistan’s cultural and tourism sectors.

Global Expertise & International Training
Dr. Bhatti’s expertise is backed by specialized training in the field of Cultural Heritage from some of the world’s most prestigious heritage-management hubs. His international professional development includes advanced training across:
The West: United States of America, United Kingdom, Germany, France, and Finland.
Asia & Middle East: Japan, Turkey, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.
This diverse exposure has provided him with a mastery of global best practices in museum curation, archaeological preservation, and heritage-based tourism.

Academic Leadership & Research Mentorship
A cornerstone of Dr. Bhatti’s career is his 10-year tenure in the Department of Anthropology at Quaid-i-Azam University. A dedicated educator, he has taught specialized courses on Prehistory and Cultural Heritage, bridging the gap between ancient civilizations and contemporary society.
His contribution to high-level research is distinguished by the successful supervision of:
5 PhD Dissertations
37 MPhil Theses
Numerous MSc Theses, shaping the next generation of Pakistani anthropologists and heritage experts.
Ministry and Museum Service (22 Years)
Dr. Bhatti’s academic rigour is balanced by 22 years of field experience within the Ministry of Tourism. Having served in various senior positions across national museums in Pakistan, he has been at the forefront of protecting and promoting the country's prehistoric and archaeological treasures.
Current Vision
As HOD, Dr. Bhatti is committed to elevating the Department of Tourism & Hospitality through a globalized curriculum. He leverages his international training and vast administrative experience to ensure that the department operates with the highest standards of integrity, academic merit, and professional excellence.

  1. 1. Marriage Ceremonies – An Anthropological Study, Journal of Pakistan Archaeological Forum, Vol. II Issue I & II, 1993. pp. 138 – 154.
  2. 2. Monuments in Bhera Town and its Archaic Grandeurs, The Archaeology, Vol. XIII No. 4, 2000. pp. 14 - 19
  3. 3. Mesopotamian and Indus Valley Interaction in Matter of Religion, The Archaeology, Vol. XIII No. 4, 2000. pp. 58 - 61
  4. 4. Mughal Miniature Paintings in National Museum of Pakistan, Karachi, The Archaeology, Vol. XIII No. 4, 2000. pp. 69 – 74
  5. 5. Female and Children Role in Village Economy in District Gilgit, Museum Journal, National Museum of Pakistan, Vol. III & IV 2002, pp. 19 – 22
  6. 6. Kanishka-Patron of Mahayana Buddhism, Proceedings of three days International Conference on Gandhara at the cross-roads of Civilizations-Art and Architecture, 2007, pp. 235-237
  7. 7. Structural Design of the Buildings in Gandhara as Gleaned on Sculptures, Journal of Asian Civilizations, Vol. 37, No. 2, December 2014 pp. 151-194
  8. 8. The Art and Architecture of Taxila, Frontier Archaeology, Vol. 9, 2017, pp. 31-43
  9. 9. Spread of Buddhism from Taxila to China through Silk Road, Pakistan Archaeology, No. 32, 2017, pp. 154-165
  10. 10. Suicide as a Social Dilemma: Evidence from Pakistan, Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal, Vol. 6, No. 32, 2019, pp. 418-429
  11. 11. Understanding the Issues and Problems of Agriculture in Pakistan (A Case Study of District Bahawalpur), International Review of Social Sciences, Vol. 8, Issue 9, November 2020, pp. 115-125
  12. 12. Transnational Engagements of Mirpuri-British Emigrants in Mirpur, AJK, University of Wah journal of Social Sciences Vol. 5, Issue 2, December 2022, pp. 42-56
  13. 13. The Buddhist Art and Architecture of Taxila, The PASCHR Journal, Vol. 5, No. 5 (2023) pp. 1-16
  14. 14. Deaf Culture as locus of religious identity: Ethnographic study of residential school for DEAF in Pakistan, University of Wah journal of Social Sciences Vol. 6, Issue 1, June 2023, pp. 1-10
  15. 15. Buddhism In Gandhara, Wah Academia Journal of Social Sciences Vol. 2, Issue 1, 2023 141-159
  16. 16. Upward Social Mobility through Migration: An Ethnographic Study of Trends in Pakistan, Annal of Human & Social Sciences Vol. 4 No. 3 (2023): July to September pp. 362-374
  17. 17. Exploring the Patterns and Factors influencing Suicide Rates in Ghizer, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan, Journal of Development and Social Sciences Vol. 5 No. 1 (2024): January to March pp. 508-519

  1. 1.TAXILA — An ancient metropolis of Gandhara ISBN 696-8570-01-2
  2. 2.LAHORE FORT — Pakistan’s glorious Heritage ISBN 696-8570-02-0
  3. 3.SHALAMAR GARDENS –– Pakistan’s glorious Heritage ISBN 978-696-8570-03-3
  4. 4.DICTIONARY OF ANTHROPOLOGY ISBN 978-696-8570-04-0

  • Tourism Risk and Disaster Management
  • Tourism planning and Development
  • Religious Tourism
  • Tourism and Hospitality Law
  • Heritage Management
  • Pakistan tourism destinations
  • Cultural Tourism
  • Cultural History of Pakistan
  • Project UG

  • Head of Department: Department of Tourism and Hospitality, Foundation 25-09-2023 to-date University, New Lalazar, Rawalpindi.
  • Assistant Professor: Department of Anthropology, Quaid-i-Azam
  • 24-02-2012 to 01-04-2020 University, Islamabad
  • Curator: Shalamar Garden and Allama Iqbal Museum, Lahore.
  • 27-07-2008 to 24-02-2012
  • Curator: Archaeological Museum, Taxila.
  • 28-12-2008 to 26-07-2008
  • Curator: Allama Iqbal Museum, Lahore.
  • 10.08.2006 to 27-12-2007
  • Assistant Director: Directorate General of Archaeology, Islamabad.
  • 19-05-2006 to 09-08-2006
  • Curator: Archaeological Museum, Taxila.
  • 01-04-2004 to 18-05-2006
  • Curator: Allama Iqbal Museum, Lahore.
  • 15.08.2000 to 31.03.2004
  • Curator: Lahore Fort Museum, Lahore.
  • 03.09.1999 to 15.08.2000
  • Assistant Curator: Archaeological Museum, Taxila.
  • 25.07.1996 to 02.09.1999
  • Assistant Curator: Pakistan Institute of Archaeological
  • 02.08.1995 to 23.07.1996 Training and Research, Lahore.
  • Assistant Curator: Lahore Fort Museum, Lahore.
  • 11.6.1995 to 01.08.1995
  • Assistant Curator: National Museum of Pakistan,
  • 07.11.1993 to 05.06.1995 Karachi.
  • Assistant Curator: Directorate General of Archaeology
  • 01.11.1991 to 06.10.1993 and Museums, Karachi.
  • Assistant Curator: Archaeological Museum, Banbhore-Sindh.
  • 01.11.1990 to 31.10.1991