Aurangzeb Khichi reaffirms Pakistan's deep-rooted commitment to Buddhist and Gandhara Heritage

ISLAMABAD, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 2nd May, 2026) Federal Minister for National Heritage and Culture, Aurangzeb Khan Khichi Saturday reaffirmed the country's deep-rooted commitment to preserving and promoting its rich Buddhist and Gandhara heritage.

He was addressing the International Vesak Day 2026 at the iconic Taxila Museum before a distinguished gathering of diplomats, venerable monks, and scholars from across the Buddhist world. The event, themed "A Confluence of Faith, Culture, and Shared Heritage," was organized in cooperation with the Government of Punjab and the Embassies of Nepal, Japan, Vietnam, Thailand, and Sri Lanka in Pakistan. The ceremony featured documentaries on the history of Buddhism, archaeological discoveries, artifact restoration, and the preservation of Buddhist heritage in museums across the country.

The Embassy of Nepal also presented a widely appreciated documentary on Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha.

Addressing the gathering, Aurangzeb Khichi stated that Vesak commemorates the birth, enlightenment and Mahaparinirvana of Gautama Buddha, embodying timeless values of peace, compassion, tolerance, and wisdom.

He emphasized that Taxila and Gandhara hold a revered place in Buddhist history and remain enduring symbols of cultural dialogue and spiritual heritage.

He noted that under Emperor Ashoka's patronage, Buddhism flourished in the region for centuries, giving rise to monasteries, stupas, great centers of learning and the globally renowned Gandhara Art tradition. The minister highlighted ongoing efforts to strengthen conservation practices, improve site management, and promote sustainable cultural tourism to better serve pilgrims and visitors from around the world. He also acknowledged the contributions of international scholars, institutions, and development partners in the research and conservation of Buddhist heritage in Pakistan.

The minister commended Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and Senior Minister for Cultural Affairs Marriyum Aurangzeb for their dedication to preserving the centuries-old Gandhara Civilization, and appreciated the Tourism, Archaeology and Museums Department Punjab for organizing the event.

He also recognized the coordination efforts of Syed Usman Tahir, Advisor to the Federal Minister.

Most Venerable Anil Sakiya of Thailand described the occasion as a landmark event celebrating the history of the Buddhist world and praised Pakistan's contributions to heritage preservation. Most Venerable Thebo of Sri Lanka highlighted the peaceful teachings of Buddhism, praised the hospitality of the Pakistani people, and encouraged the continuation of such events to strengthen ties with Buddhist nations. Imran Shaukat, Ambassador for the Promotion of Gandhara Heritage, emphasized Pakistan's strategy to uplift the Gandhara Civilization and safeguard Buddhist artifacts for future generations.

Minister for Human Rights and Minorities Affairs, Ramesh Singh Arora stated that under the leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, concrete steps are being taken to preserve heritage sites linked to Gandhara Civilization while also safeguarding minority rights.

The Sri Lankan Ambassador, in his concluding remarks, described the occasion as a powerful reminder of the importance of international cultural collaboration and world peace.

Earlier, Federal Minister, Aurangzeb Khichi and the participating ambassadors planted saplings in the museum grounds.

The ceremony concluded with the Minister presenting souvenirs to the Ambassador of Japan and other ambassadors, distinguished monks, officials, and representatives from participating countries and institutions. The event ended with a renewed commitment to cultural diplomacy, interfaith harmony, and the global promotion of Pakistan's invaluable Buddhist heritage.