Federal Minister for National Heritage and Culture Division Aurangzeb Khan Khichi on Tuesday said that Pakistan is proud to serve as the custodian of one of the world’s most significant centers of Buddhist civilization and remains firmly committed to preserving and promoting the rich legacy of Gandhara heritage for future generations.
Addressing the inaugural session of the 3rd International Conference on the Buddhist Heritage of Pakistan as Chief Guest at the Taxila Institute of Archaeology and Civilizations Quaid-i-Azam University(QAU) Islamabad, Aurangzeb Khan Khichi said the conference was not merely an academic forum, but an important platform for intercultural dialogue, scholarly cooperation, and international understanding. He commended the Humanistic Buddhism Research Centre at Quaid-i-Azam University and all partner institutions for organizing the important gathering dedicated to the preservation, study, and promotion of Gandhara civilization and Pakistan’s Buddhist heritage.
The Minister said the ancient Gandhara civilization, spread across Taxila, Swat, Peshawar, Mardan, and Charsadda, played a historic role in the development of Buddhist learning, art, architecture, and philosophy. He noted that the Gandharan civilization represented a remarkable fusion of South Asian and Hellenistic traditions and remained an invaluable part of humanity’s shared heritage.
Highlighting government initiatives under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif the Minister said Pakistan had undertaken significant measures in recent years for the conservation and restoration of major Buddhist archaeological sites, improved protection and management of heritage locations, promotion of archaeological research and international scholarly collaboration, digital documentation of historical artifacts, facilitation of religious tourism, and organization of conferences and cultural exchanges to increase global awareness of Gandhara heritage.
He said Pakistan was also strengthening cooperation with international organizations, universities, archaeologists, and cultural partners to ensure the preservation of this priceless heritage. He added that the conference aimed to promote research on Buddhist heritage, encourage academic dialogue, strengthen international cooperation in archaeology and conservation, and highlight Pakistan’s historic role as a center of Buddhist civilization.
The Minister observed that at a time when the world faces division and conflict, the message of Gandhara and the teachings of Gautama Buddha remind humanity of the importance of compassion, coexistence, dialogue, and peace. He said these values strongly resonate with Pakistan’s vision for regional harmony and cultural cooperation.
He further stated that Pakistan’s cultural diversity remained one of its greatest strengths and that the preservation of Buddhist heritage reflected the country’s respect for religious diversity, cultural pluralism, and shared human history. He appreciated the contributions of archaeologists, conservation experts, academic institutions, local communities, and cultural organizations working for the protection of these invaluable treasures.
Expressing confidence in the outcomes of the conference, the Minister said the gathering would produce meaningful recommendations for the preservation, promotion, and global recognition of Gandhara civilization. He also warmly welcomed international delegates to Pakistan and expressed hope that the conference would further strengthen academic cooperation, cultural friendship, and mutual respect among nations.
The five-day international conference, being held from May 19 to 23, 2026, has been organized by the Humanistic Buddhism Research Centre at Quaid-i-Azam University in collaboration with national and international partner organizations including the Silk Road Centre, Humanistic Buddhism Research Centre at Universiti Malaya, Fo Guang Shan Education Centre Malaysia, Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation, and the Directorate General of Archaeology and Museums, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The conference has brought together Pakistani and international scholars, faith leaders, conservation experts, ambassadors of Buddhist countries, monks, and youth representatives to promote dialogue and knowledge-sharing on Pakistan’s rich Buddhist and Gandhara heritage dating back to the 3rd century BC. Participants will also visit important Buddhist heritage sites in the Gandhara region. Managing Director APP Asim Khichi and Acting Vice Chancellor Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad Dr Zafar Nawaz Jaspal were also present on the occasion.
The organizers acknowledged the continued support of the Ministry of National Heritage and Culture Division for previous conferences held in 2022 and 2024, stating that the ministry’s encouragement had played an important role in promoting Pakistan’s cultural and religious heritage internationally.
Earlier, the Federal Minister also visited the newly opened library and centre on Gandhara Heritage and Civilization. He reviewed the books on Budha in the library and appreciated the efforts of QAU and other partners in this regard.
