Deputy PM Dar for collective efforts in preserving shared ancient heritage

ISLAMABAD – Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar stated on Wednesday that Pakistan is committed to preserving its Buddhist legacy and will support collaborative efforts to promote and conserve these ancient monuments.

“Collaborative projects in archaeological research and cultural tourism can raise awareness about these landmarks.” Working together, we can ensure that these sites are not only maintained but also honored as part of our collective human heritage,” he stated during a dinner organized for international delegates to the conference “From Gandhara to the World.”

Ishaq Dar stated that Pakistan is the proud custodian of several significant Buddhist sites in Gandhara, Taxila, Swat Valley, and Takht Bhai, and that these sites were once thriving centers of Buddhist scholarships that drew monks and played an important role in the spread of Buddhist teachings throughout Asia.

He advocated for closer ties of goodwill with largely Buddhist countries by promoting cultural exchange programs, religious tourism, and educational partnership.

Ishaq Dar also encouraged a united stand against the forces of intolerance, violence, and hatred, emphasizing the need for a joint platform in this respect.