Three-day symposium on Gandhara civilization, Buddhist heritage in Pakistan to commence on Tuesday
ISLAMABAD, Jul 10 (APP): A three-day (July 11-13) Gandhara Symposium 2023 titled “Cultural Diplomacy: Reviving Gandhara Civilization and Buddhist Heritage in Pakistan”, will commence here on Tuesday.
The Symposium was being 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.
Over the next three days, besides the inaugural and concluding sessions, the Gandhara Symposium will have four sessions focused on Gandhara Civilization and Buddhist Heritage in Pakistan; a Round Table; visits to Taxila and Peshawar Museums; and a cultural evening.
President Dr. Arif Alvi will address the Inaugural Session as chief guest, while Dr. Ramesh Kumar Vankwani, the Minister of State, Chairman of the PM Task Force on Gandhara Tourism will be the guest of honour.
The Concluding Session will be addressed by Senator Talha Mahmood, Federal Minister for Religious Affairs & Inter-Faith Harmony, a press release issued by ISSI here on Monday said.
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, the digital and social media offer new powerful means for projecting the Buddhist Gandhara heritage in Pakistan to the world.
The sacred sites, sculptures, and artifacts of Gandhara are not just relics from the past; they are also as 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.
Against this backdrop, the ISSI is proud to partner with the PM Task Force on Gandhara Tourism; the Directorate of Archaeology and Museums, Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa; and all other relevant departments and institutions in the convening of the Gandhara Symposium 2023, the press release concluded.
Ghanaian HC invites Pakistani industrialists to invest in Ghana
KARACHI, Jul 10 (APP): Ghana’s High Commissioner to Pakistan and Iran, Eric Owusu, on Monday, invited Pakistani investors and industrialists to invest in Ghana for gaining access to the vast African market.
The Ghanaian envoy while addressing to Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (KATI) highlighted the vast potential for industrialisation in his country and said that the government of Ghana was committed to providing favourable conditions for investment in the textile sector.
Ghana was offering various incentives, including tax benefits, to encourage the establishment of industries in the country and the availability of skilled and cost-effective labour further facilitate business ventures, he said.
By setting up industries in Ghana, Pakistani industrialists could gain access to the massive African market comprising 1.4 billion people, he said adding that goods manufactured in Ghana would enjoy duty-free exports worldwide.
President KATI Faraz-ur-Rehman speaking at the occasion affirmed that KATI would play a significant role in assisting the business community to access African markets. He emphasised the importance of the exchange of trade delegations and collaborations between Pakistan and Ghana to enhance bilateral trade.
He suggested organising a dedicated exhibition between the two countries to showcase their respective industries. He also proposed exploring currency swaps and local currency trade between Ghana and Pakistan, considering the development of both nations.
Honorary Consul General of Yemen Ikhtiar Baig urged Pakistani industrialists and investors to leverage Ghana’s African policy, which includes advantages such as affordable land for setting up industries and tax concessions.
Deputy Patron-in-Chief of KATI, Zubair Chhaya, highlighted the friendly relations between Ghana and Pakistan. Highlighting low trade volume between the two nations he stressed the need to increase bilateral trade.
Earlier, KATI President Faraz-ur-Rehman presented a shield to Ghana’s High Commissioner to Pakistan and Iran, Eric Owusu. The event was attended by Nighat Awan, Sheikh Manzar Alam, and others.