Pakistan High Commission holds seminar on Gandhara heritage

The Pakistan High Commission in Sri Lanka this week held a seminar on its Gandhara heritage. 

The event, held at the prestigious Nāgānanda International Institute for Buddhist Studies (NIIBS), was inter alia attended by former President Maithripala Sirisena, former Speaker of Parliament Karu Jayasuriya, MP Imtiaz Bakeer Markar, diplomatic corps, prominent monks, members of All Ceylon Buddhist Council, and a large number of students. 

Buddha Sasana Religious and Cultural Affairs Minister Vidura Wickramanayake was the Chief Guest of the event. 

High Commissioner of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to Sri Lanka Maj. Gen. Umar Farooq Burki (HI) (M) in his welcome address gave an overview of the excellent friendly ties between Pakistan and Sri Lanka. While stressing the need for frequent people to people contacts between the two countries, the High Commissioner highlighted the immense potential Pakistan possesses in religious and cultural tourism. In this regard he stressed the need for institutional linkages between the two countries. 

The Chief Guest, in his remarks, appreciated the efforts of the High Commission for appraising the Sri Lankan public on the huge cultural and religious tourism potential of Pakistan, especially its rich Gandhara heritage. The Minister proposed that the two countries should create a Heritage Forum for bilateral exchange of views and experience. 

Presentations and speeches were made by prominent Sri Lankan scholars as well as two eminent speakers from Pakistan i.e. Dr. Abdul Sammad, Director General Archaeology Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province of Pakistan and Iqbal Khan, Director Taxila Museum.  Some of the other highlights of the seminar included display of books and pamphlets related to Pakistan’s Gandhara heritage, and launch of a documentary on Gandhara heritage of Pakistan. 

In the spirit of close brotherly relations and to further build upon the cultural linkages, an MoU between Pakistan and Sri Lanka on promotion of religious tourism and collaboration in preservation and projection of Gandhara heritage is also at an advanced stage.