Gandhara University to be set up in Taxila

ISLAMABAD: The government plans to establish the Gandhara International University in Taxila to highlight the ancient cultural heritage of the country and attract scholars interested in research on Buddhism and other religions.

According to official sources, an advisory committee had been formed to oversee the establishment of the varsity. The Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) has been tasked to build the university while Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has formally approved the project.

ETPB and project steering committee chairperson Siddiqul Farooque said that the university would serve as a centre of excellence on Buddhism, Buddhist art and architecture, as well as a centre for interfaith harmony where scholars from Buddhist countries would be invited to study.

He added that the university hopes to attract religious tourists, scholars and researchers from around the world, especially Korea and Japan.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 31^st, 2017.