Gandhara Symposium 2023 to start tomorrow

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Tue, 11 Jul 2023, 12:33 AM

ISLAMABAD, Jul 10 (APP): A three-day Gandhara Symposium 2023 titled “Cultural Diplomacy: Reviving Gandhara Civilization and Buddhist Heritage in Pakistan” was being held in Islamabad from tomorrow (July 11) to July 13.

The Symposium was organized by the PM Task Force on Gandhara Tourism, the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) and the Directorate of Archaeology and Museums, Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, said a press release.

The symposium includes four Sessions focused on Gandhara Civilization and Buddhist Heritage in Pakistan, a Round Table discussion and visits to Taxila and Peshawar Museums followed by a cultural evening.

The Inaugural Session would be addressed by the President of Pakistan, Dr. Arif Alvi, as Chief Guest and Minister of State, Chairman of the PM Task Force on Gandhara Tourism, Dr. Ramesh Kumar Vankwani would be the Guest of Honour.

The Concluding Session will be addressed by Senator Talha Mahmood, Federal Minister for Religious Affairs & Inter-Faith Harmony.

The speakers at the Gandhara Symposium will be from Malaysia, Thailand, South Korea, Nepal, Sri Lanka, China, and Pakistan. Faith leaders, archaeologists, curators, experts, religious scholars, and academicians will reflect on the richness of Gandhara civilization and the Buddhist Heritage. Prominent stakeholders from Pakistan’s tourism industry will also participate in the Symposium.

The Gandhara civilization flourished in the region which is mostly modern-day Pakistan. Situated at the crossroads of ancient trade routes, Gandhara served as a melting pot of diverse cultures and civilizations. One of the most remarkable aspects of the Gandhara civilization was its artistic creativity.

The re-discovered cities of the Gandhara civilization exhibited many elements of their well-structured and modern lives through paintings, sculptures, coins, pottery and their relation with Buddhism.

Preserving and further promoting the Buddhist Gandhara heritage is of paramount importance for Pakistan. Besides other modes, digital and social media offer new powerful means for projecting the Buddhist Gandhara heritage in Pakistan to the world. The sacred sites, sculptures, and artefacts of Gandhara are not just relics from the past; they are also a source of inspiration for the faithful and tourists from different parts of the world.

One of the key objectives of the Gandhara Symposium will be to create awareness about Gandhara and foster a sense of appreciation for Pakistan’s rich and diverse cultural heritage, both domestically and abroad. Another important objective of the Gandhara Symposium will also be to consider new initiatives that reinforce Pakistan’s cultural diplomacy efforts and help promote tourism, particularly faith tourism, in Pakistan.

Army assures all possible support for economic development of Pakistan: COAS

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NNPS Desk

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Tue, 11 Jul 2023, 12:19 AM

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Four soldiers embrace martyrdom, three terrorists killed in Zhob Garrison attack

RAWALPINDI, Jul 10 (APP): Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir on Monday said the Pakistan Army assured all possible support for the economic development of the country as an institution with full dedication and spirit to complete this stage.

The Army Chief made these remarks on the occasion of the Green Pakistan Seminar.

The Army Chief said the forum was convened to gather all here to make Pakistan green again.

“Allah has blessed Pakistan with many blessings. We are a talented nation, the only requirement is that we contribute to its development together,” he added.

“Do not despair of Allah’s mercy, only unbelievers disappoint of Allah’s mercy, the Army Chief quoted the reference to Holy Quran.

He added that there were only two states for a Muslim: when he is afflicted, he is patient; when he is blessed, he is grateful.

“For a Muslim, despair is disbelief,” he said.

Pakistan has to progress and no power in the world can stop it from progressing, InshAllah
(By the Will of Allah), he said.

“We have all kinds of potential that can take Pakistan to the top,” the Army Chief said.

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and other dignitaries at the inaugural ceremony of Green Pakistan Initiative

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Khuram Maryam

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Mon, 10 Jul 2023, 11:47 PM

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Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif inaugurates Green Pakistan Initiative, COAS General Syed Asim Munir hands over the inaugural scroll to the Prime Minister

By

Khuram Maryam

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Mon, 10 Jul 2023, 11:47 PM

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Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif along with COAS General Syed Asim Munir, Federal Minister for Information and broadcasting, Marriyum Aurangzeb and Advisor to PM Ahad Khan Cheema receiving a briefing during their visit of exhibition at Green Pakistan Initiative inaugural ceremony

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Khuram Maryam

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Mon, 10 Jul 2023, 11:47 PM

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Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif along with Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah and caretaker Chief Minister Punjab Syed Mohsin Naqvi examine a tractor during their visit of stalls in Green Pakistan Initiative inaugural ceremony

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Khuram Maryam

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Mon, 10 Jul 2023, 11:47 PM

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Chinese Muslims start return journey after Hajj 2023

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NNPS Desk

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Mon, 10 Jul 2023, 11:39 PM

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BEIJING, July 10 (APP): A chartered aeroplane carrying the first batch of Chinese pilgrims has returned from Saudi Arabia to China, as Chinese pilgrims return after this year’s pilgrimage season, China Islamic Association announced.

The first batch of pilgrims are from the cities of Yinchuan and Shizuishan in Northwest China’s Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, according to the association.

Yang Faming, president of the China Islamic Association, and Ma Zhongping, vice president of the association, were at the airport to see off the pilgrims, Global Times reported.

Yang congratulated everyone on successfully completing this year’s pilgrimage and wished them a safe return to China and reunion with their families.

He called on Chinese Muslims to further improve moral cultivation, standardize behaviour and conduct, achieve unity of knowledge and action, continue to improve the Hajj with good social morality, family virtues and personal morality, and protect the reputation of the Hajj.

It is important to adapt Islam to local conditions, adhere to the fine traditions of Islam in China, and strive to be a model of loving both the country and the religion, Yang noted.

Another two chartered flights also departed on the same day, with one of them heading to Yinchuan, and the other to Kunming, Southwest China’s Yunnan Province, according to the association.

This year’s Hajj started on June 26 and ended on July 1.