Islamabad, 10 July 2023 (WAI): Pakistan will host the first-ever international “Gandhara Symposium” in Islamabad, Pakistan, on July 11-13 to revitalize the country’s ancient Gandhara Civilization and Buddhist legacy in Islamabad.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari will address the inaugural session of the three-day Symposium titled “Cultural Diplomacy: Reviving Gandhara Civilization and Buddhist Heritage in Pakistan,” reflecting the government’s commitment to interfaith harmony and global cultural awareness.
President of Pakistan, Dr. Arif Alvi, will engage with Delegates at the Prestigious Gandhara Symposium 2023 at dinner. His insightful conversation will promise to contribute to meaningful discussions on cultural heritage preservation, fostering international cooperation, and promoting mutual understanding.
Organized jointly by the Prime Minister’s Task Force on Gandhara Tourism, the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC), the National Heritage and Culture Division, the Archeology Departments of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI), the Symposium aims to promote and preserve the rich historical and cultural Buddhist heritage in Pakistan.
The event will feature speeches, panel discussions, cultural shows, and a field visit to sites of religious significance to the Buddhist community, providing a platform for networking, collaboration, and the exchange of ideas and best practices.
Eminent scholars and Buddhist religious leaders from Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, Nepal, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and China will attend the Symposium, fostering cultural diplomacy and eradicating Islamophobia in the South Asian region.
Also Read:Â Appreciate Religious Diversity to achieve Peaceful Coexistence
Pakistan, with its deep historical connections to Buddhism, boasts significant remnants of the ancient Gandhara Civilization, including well-known sites like Takshasila (Taxila), Purushapura (Peshawar), and Pushkalavati (Charsadda). These archaeological sites, ancient Buddhist monasteries, and Gandhara artifacts hold immense historical, cultural, and religious importance for Buddhists worldwide.
Dr. Ramesh Vankwani, Minister for State and Chairman of the PM’s Taskforce on Gandhara Tourism expressed the need to showcase Pakistan’s rich history to the world. He emphasized that the Symposium aims to explore “Pathways to Peace” by promoting religious tourism, projecting a positive image of Pakistan, and creating an environment conducive to spiritual harmony.
The Symposium is expected to enhance efforts and awareness toward preserving the Gandhara civilization’s rich historical and cultural heritage in Pakistan. By facilitating cultural exchange and understanding, it seeks to dispel misconceptions between Buddhist-majority countries and Muslim-majority Pakistan, fostering interfaith harmony and strengthening bonds between nations.
The International Gandhara Symposium is a groundbreaking event that promotes cultural diplomacy, religious tourism, and interfaith understanding. The Symposium paves the way for a more inclusive and tolerant world by showcasing Pakistan’s rich Buddhist heritage.
The international Gandhara Symposium signifies Pakistan’s commitment to interfaith understanding, tolerance, and inclusivity. Through this historical occasion, Pakistan desires to contribute to a more peaceful and tolerant world by leveraging the power of cultural diplomacy and promoting the exchange of ideas and experiences among nations.
A student of International Relations interested in National Security strategies, with a good focus on Geo-Politics, Foreign Policy, and Public & Cultural Diplomacy.
