Federal Minister for National Heritage and Culture Aurangzeb Khan Khichi said Pakistan was taking practical measures to preserve and promote its rich Buddhist and Gandhara heritage and facilitate Buddhist pilgrims and visitors from around the world.
He was talking to the Ambassador of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, H.E. Wunna Han who called on him at his office on Tuesday.
The Minister said a site on Murree Road was being planned for the development of a suitable facility for the respectful preservation and display of sacred Buddhist relics. He said the proposed facility would provide an appropriate place for Buddhist pilgrims and visitors to pay their respects.
Aurangzeb Khan Khichi said the Ministry was also exploring the possibility of transferring important Buddhist relics currently preserved at the Peshawar Museum to the National Museum, where they could be displayed at an appropriate national institution. He said consolidating important Buddhist relics at a dedicated national facility would improve access for Buddhist visitors and further promote Pakistan’s Gandhara heritage and religious tourism.
The Minister said Pakistan was committed to presenting Gandhara civilization and its Buddhist heritage to the international community. He said the Shah Allah Ditta Caves would be opened to visitors next month, adding that Pakistan also planned to organize Gandhara exhibitions in different Buddhist countries to promote awareness of the civilization and its historical significance.
The Minister said Pakistan had already sent a draft Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to the Government of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for cooperation in various fields. He requested the Myanmar Ambassador to help expedite the process so that formal bilateral cooperation could be strengthened.
He also highlighted the development of Islamabad’s hospitality infrastructure, including new high-end hotels, saying improved facilities would support future religious, cultural and heritage tourism initiatives.
Myanmar Ambassador to Pakistan H.E. Wunna Han said Pakistan and Myanmar enjoyed longstanding and friendly relations, with historical links dating back to the period before the independence of both countries. He highlighted Myanmar’s historical association with the last Mughal Emperor, Bahadur Shah Zafar, who spent his final years in Rangoon, now Yangon, and is buried there. He said the tomb remained an important historical site in Yangon and recalled that visiting South Asian leaders had traditionally paid their respects there, including former President General Pervez Musharraf.
The Ambassador also highlighted the contribution of Pakistani soldiers during the Burma Campaign of the Second World War, particularly soldiers from Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa who fought alongside the Allied forces against the Japanese Imperial Army. He said these shared historical experiences formed an important link between the peoples of Pakistan and Myanmar.
Speaking about Buddhist heritage, Ambassador Wunna Han said he had visited several important archaeological and Gandhara sites since arriving in Pakistan in July 2024, including Taxila and its museum. He said Gandhara heritage held profound significance for Buddhists in Myanmar and other Buddhist countries, including Thailand, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam.
The Ambassador said Gandhara was particularly significant because the region witnessed the development of Greco-Buddhist art, in which Greek and Buddhist artistic traditions interacted. He said this artistic tradition played an important role in the development and spread of visual representations of the Buddha, which later became widespread across Buddhist countries and other parts of the world.
He identified Taxila, Peshawar, the Swat Valley and Takht-i-Bahi near Mardan as important centres of Buddhist and Gandhara heritage, describing their spiritual and cultural significance for Buddhist communities around the world.
Ambassador Wunna Han expressed interest in further promoting Buddhist pilgrimage and religious tourism between Myanmar and Pakistan. He noted that there was currently no direct commercial air link between the two countries and suggested exploring charter flights for Buddhist pilgrims. He said such programmes could potentially connect Pakistan with other major Buddhist destinations.
The Ambassador welcomed greater cooperation among Pakistan, Myanmar and other Buddhist countries to promote Gandhara civilization and Buddhist heritage. Referring to the Vesak Day programme held at the Taxila Museum, he said such initiatives could be expanded through bilateral and multilateral cooperation.
The Ambassador also appreciated Pakistani tea and food and expressed keen interest in further cultural collaboration with Pakistan. Appreciating the Federal Minister’s efforts, he said, “You are very supportive.”
Secretary, National Heritage and Culture Division, Asad Rahman Gillani said Pakistan would invite ambassadors of Buddhist countries based in Islamabad, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to the opening ceremony of the Shah Allah Ditta Caves.
He said cultural diplomacy and people-to-people contacts were important for further strengthening relations between Pakistan and Buddhist countries. He said cooperation could also be expanded through exchanges of cultural troupes, artists, handicrafts, cuisine and cultural performances.
Coordinator to the Prime Minister on Gandhara Imran Shokat said a special delegation of Buddhist monks was expected to visit Pakistan in November. He said Pakistan was taking serious and practical steps to strengthen relations with Buddhist countries and promote Gandhara heritage at the international level.
Both sides agreed on the importance of enhancing cultural cooperation, promoting Buddhist pilgrimage and expanding people-to-people contacts between Pakistan and Myanmar.
