Buddhist conference postponed again
Amidst rising cases of novel coronavirus, the provincial government has decided to put preparations for its grand Buddhist conference - through which it hoped to showcase the province’s religious tourism potential - on the backburner once again.
The K-P Archaeology and Museums Department Director Dr Abdul Samad Khan told The Express Tribune on Thursday that the first-ever Buddhist conference the department planned to organise in April this year had to be postponed due to the pandemic.
However, he said that they were hopeful that with cases of Covid-19 decreasing, the conference could be held in March next year. But with a second wave now gripping the country, the moot has been postponed for an indefinite period, he said.
The conference was part of the provincial government's drive to boost religious tourism, he informed.
Up to 200 archaeological experts were due to attend the conference, the official said, adding that it was a great opportunity to showcase the country’s heritage. Representatives and religious scholars from all Buddhist countries, including China, Japan, Korea, Sri Lanka, and Nepal, were expected to attend the conference, he added.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 27th, 2020.