ISLAMABAD, Sep 29 (APP): Federal Minister for National Heritage and Culture, Aurangzeb Khan Khichi Tuesday said that Pakistan is advancing a series of practical measures to preserve its Buddhist and Gandhara heritage, facilitate Buddhist pilgrims and expand religious and cultural tourism. The minister, speaking during a meeting with Ambassador of Myanmar, Wunna Han at his office, said the government is planning a dedicated facility on Murree Road for the respectful …
Pakistan steps up efforts to preserve Gandhara heritage, promote Buddhist pilgrimage
ISLAMABAD, Sep 29 (APP): Federal Minister for National Heritage and Culture, Aurangzeb Khan Khichi Tuesday said that Pakistan is advancing a series of practical measures to preserve its Buddhist and Gandhara heritage, facilitate Buddhist pilgrims and expand religious and cultural tourism.
The minister, speaking during a meeting with Ambassador of Myanmar, Wunna Han at his office, said the government is planning a dedicated facility on Murree Road for the respectful preservation and display of sacred Buddhist relics, providing Buddhist pilgrims and visitors an appropriate place to pay their respects.
Aurangzeb Khan Khichi said the ministry is also exploring the transfer of important Buddhist relics currently preserved at Peshawar Museum to the National Museum for display at a dedicated national institution. He said bringing important relics together at a national facility would improve access for Buddhist visitors and further promote Pakistan’s Gandhara heritage and religious tourism.
He said Pakistan is committed to presenting the civilization of Gandhara and its Buddhist heritage to the international community, adding that the Shah Allah Ditta Caves are scheduled to open to visitors next month.
The minister said Pakistan also plans to organize Gandhara exhibitions in different Buddhist countries to promote international awareness of the civilization and its historical significance.
He said Pakistan has sent a draft Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to the Government of Myanmar through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for cooperation in various fields and requested the Myanmar Ambassador to help expedite the process to strengthen formal bilateral cooperation.
Aurangzeb Khan Khichi also highlighted the expansion of Islamabad’s hospitality infrastructure, including new high-end hotels, saying improved facilities would support future religious, cultural and heritage tourism initiatives.
Myanmar Ambassador Wunna Han said Pakistan and Myanmar enjoy longstanding and friendly relations, with historical links dating back to the period before the independence of both countries.
He highlighted Myanmar’s historical association with the last Mughal Emperor, Bahadur Shah Zafar, who spent his final years in Rangoon, now Yangon, and is buried there.
He said the tomb remains an important historical site in Yangon and noted that visiting South Asian leaders traditionally pay their respects there, including former President General Pervez Musharraf.
The ambassador also highlighted the contribution of Pakistani soldiers during the Burma Campaign of the Second World War, particularly soldiers from Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa who fought alongside Allied forces against the Japanese Imperial Army. He said these shared historical experiences form an important link between the peoples of Pakistan and Myanmar.
Discussing Buddhist heritage, Wunna Han said he has visited several important archaeological and Gandhara sites since arriving in Pakistan in July 2024, including Taxila and its museum.
He said Gandhara heritage holds profound significance for Buddhists in Myanmar and other Buddhist countries, including Thailand, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam.
The ambassador said Gandhara is particularly significant for the development of Greco-Buddhist art, where Greek and Buddhist artistic traditions interact.
He said this tradition plays an important role in the development and spread of visual representations of the Buddha, which later became widespread across Buddhist countries and other parts of the world.
He identified Taxila, Peshawar, the Swat Valley and Takht-i-Bahi near Mardan as important centres of Buddhist and Gandhara heritage, describing them as sites of deep spiritual and cultural significance for Buddhist communities worldwide.
Wunna Han expressed interest in further promoting Buddhist pilgrimage and religious tourism between Myanmar and Pakistan.
He noted that no direct commercial air link currently connects the two countries and suggested exploring charter flights for Buddhist pilgrims, potentially linking Pakistan with other major Buddhist destinations.
He welcomed greater cooperation among Pakistan, Myanmar and other Buddhist countries to promote Gandhara civilization and Buddhist heritage.
Referring to the Vesak Day programme held at the Taxila Museum, he said such initiatives could expand through bilateral and multilateral cooperation.
The ambassador also appreciated Pakistani tea and food and expressed interest in further cultural collaboration with Pakistan.
Appreciating the Federal Minister’s efforts, he said, “You are very supportive.”
Secretary, National Heritage and Culture Division, Asad Rahman Gillani said Pakistan would invite ambassadors of Buddhist countries based in Islamabad, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to the opening ceremony of the Shah Allah Ditta Caves.
He said cultural diplomacy and people-to-people contacts remain important for strengthening relations between Pakistan and Buddhist countries, adding that cooperation could expand through exchanges of cultural troupes, artists, handicrafts, cuisine and cultural performances.
Coordinator to the Prime Minister on Gandhara Imran Shokat said a special delegation of Buddhist monks is expected to visit Pakistan in November. He said Pakistan is taking practical steps to strengthen relations with Buddhist countries and promote Gandhara heritage at the international level.
Both sides agreed to enhance cultural cooperation, promote Buddhist pilgrimage and expand people-to-people contacts between Pakistan and Myanmar.
