PM Shehbaz praises Buddhist scholars for promoting interfaith harmony

ISLAMABAD – Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has stated that Pakistan is proud of its historic Buddhist legacy, which flourished in northwest Pakistan in the form of Gandhara art and culture over two millennia ago.

He was speaking with a team of Buddhist leaders who visited him in Islamabad on Wednesday.

Welcoming the team, he expressed his gratitude for their participation in the Symposium, which is being hosted in Pakistan in conjunction with ‘Vesak Day’, which honors Lord Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, and death.

The prime minister emphasized the importance that his government places on religious harmony. He also recognized the important efforts of Buddhist scholars and monks to promoting interfaith cooperation and understanding.

Buddhist leaders praised the prime minister’s dedication to promoting inclusion and respect for all religions.

They also applauded Pakistan’s efforts to protect and promote Buddhist heritage sites and cultural objects. The delegation members expressed a strong willingness to work with Pakistan to preserve and promote the Buddhist history in Pakistan.

During the meeting, the prime minister and team addressed methods to improve interfaith dialogue and collaboration, as well as potential for cultural and intellectual exchanges between Pakistan and Buddhist-majority countries.

The meeting closed with a commitment to continue exploring opportunities for mutual understanding and cooperation, as well as to work together to create a more harmonious and peaceful world. In this regard, the prospect of creating a shared venue for debate and collaboration was particularly highlighted.

The team is in Pakistan to attend a conference and exhibition titled “From Gandhara to the World,” organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The delegation includes Sri Lanka’s Minister for Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, Vidura Wikramanayaka, Thich Duc Tuan of Vietnam, Anil Sakya of Thailand, and Dr. Keshabman Shakya of Nepal.