President Dr. Arif Alvi of Pakistan made these remarks on Tuesday in ISLAMABAD. He praised Pakistan’s unique blend of ancient history and the Buddha’s message of peace and compassion as offering the world a rare insight into Gandhara civilization.
Speaking at the opening of the three-day Gandhara Symposium 2023, he said, “In today’s world where hatred is on the rise and increasing polarisation is fuelling conflicts, it is time to rediscover the role of cultural diplomacy to promote dialogue among civilisations.”
The Directorate of Archaeology and Museums, government of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, and the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) hosted a symposium titled “Cultural Diplomacy: Reviving Gandhara Civilization and Buddhist Heritage in Pakistan” in October.
The goal of the event was to establish an enabling atmosphere for Gandhara tourism in Pakistan by bringing together monks and interfaith experts from Sri Lanka, Nepal, Thailand, China, Malaysia, South Korea, and Vietnam to learn more about Pakistan’s rich Buddhist past.
According to President Alvi, the Buddhist tenet to not kill other sentient beings and to take care of one’s natural surroundings rekindles the spirit of introspection.
He mentioned that the Gandhara civilization, which flourished in Pakistan many years ago, may be a useful resource for tourists interested in learning about and seeing stunning Buddhist sites from around the world.
To help the society adapt to cultural differences, he advocated for concerted efforts to spread the word about the Gandhara civilisation’s open and tolerant character.
The president hoped that the Buddhist monks’ visit would send a message of peace and tolerance to the world.
Gandhara Civilization continues to mesmerise from all over the world, Minister of State and Chairman of the PM Task Force on Gandhara Tourism Ramesh Kumar Vankwani stated, highlighting the need to protect and rehabilitate the historic Buddhist relics.
He expressed optimism that the symposium would serve as a useful forum for promoting Pakistan’s heritage and added that cultural diplomacy helps develop understanding and tradition among civilisations.
Session I of the Gandhara Symposium, with the theme “Pathways to Peace: Exploring Pakistan’s Rich Buddhist Legacy,” featured speakers from Malaysia, Thailand, South Korea, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and China who discussed the significance of Gandhara as a centre of Buddhist learning and education and advocated for the continued preservation of Buddhist Gandhara heritage in Pakistan and its projection as part of world herstory.
“Gandhara Civilization: Celebrating Pakistan’s Buddhist Heritage” was the topic of Session II. Speakers at the event included professionals, religious leaders, and academics who stressed the importance of Pakistan’s Buddhist Gandhara legacy. Pakistan is a melting pot of civilizations thanks to its abundant cultural heritage.
Methods for ‘Promoting Tourism: Creating an Enabling Environment’ were discussed in Session III. The event featured a panel discussion with travel industry professionals and policy analysts from Pakistan.
Finally, a Round Table on “Gandhara Civilization: Opportunities and Challenges” was held, with a panel of religious experts, academics, curators, faith leaders, and other stakeholders. One of the main arguments brought up during the round table was that this symposium effectively delivers the notion that Pakistan is a secure destination for tourists to visit. Pakistan is ready to work with other countries to improve B2B and P2P exchanges as it prepares to launch Gandhara Tourism.
The round table agreed that some of the problems the tourism industry faces stem from outdated infrastructure, a deficiency in awareness and marketing, a lack of finances for preservation and restoration, unregulated hotels, poorly maintained roads, unsafe conditions for visitors, and an absence of contemporary facilities.
