Foreign delegates explore Buddhist heritage

Visit highlights efforts to promote Gandhara civilisation, traditional crafts

TAXILA:

A 16-member Sri Lankan delegation comprising senior government officials, Buddhist community leaders, archaeologists, academics, business representatives, legal professionals and media personalities has arrived in Pakistan for an eight-day Pakistan Buddhist Heritage Familiarisation Tour aimed at strengthening bilateral relations and advancing cooperation in Gandharan heritage, archaeology, education, cultural preservation and people-to-people connections.

The delegation was formally welcomed at the Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA). A key highlight of the opening day was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Hazara University, Mansehra, Pakistan and International Buddhist University (NIIBS), Sri Lanka. The agreement provides a framework for student and faculty exchanges, archaeology, Buddhist studies, joint research, academic programmes and heritage preservation.

The MoU was signed by Department of Archaeology Professor and Chairman Hazara University Faculty of Arts and Humanities Dean Dr Shakir Ullah and N. International Buddhist University (NIIBS), Sri Lanka, Founder P D Mandawala in the presence of the Federal Minister, Hazara University Vice Chancellor Dr Ikram Ullah Khan and other distinguished dignitaries.

Following the ceremony, the delegation visited the Islamabad Museum, exploring its archaeological collections and gaining further insight into Pakistan's Gandhara civilization and Buddhist heritage.

German delegation

Earlier on Tuesday, the Deputy Head of Mission of the German Embassy in Islamabad visited historical and archaeological sites in Taxila, including Taxila Museum, the ancient city of Sirkap and Gandhara Art Village.

The visit was organised by the Gandhara Taxila Centre for Development (GTCD) and Gandhara Odyssey (GO), in collaboration with the Archaeology Department of the Punjab government and the Punjab Small Industries Corporation (PSIC).

During the visit, officials of Taxila Museum and the Archaeology Department gave the German delegation a detailed briefing on Taxila's historical significance, archaeological remains of the Gandhara civilisation, important archaeological discoveries and the region's historical and cultural heritage.

The delegation also viewed historical artefacts preserved at Taxila Museum and the ancient city of Sirkap.