Pakistan celebrates Gandhara Week

COLOMBO: The Gandhara culture in Pakistan has always been a focus of interest and inspiration for the Buddhist 'Owing to its spiritual, religious and historical importance', said Tourism Minister of Pakistan Nilofer Bakhtiar in an opening statement to announce the third Gandhara Week in Pakistan.

This year again in line of tradition of last two years Pakistan Government is holding third Gandhara Week from March 26-31, as a part of "Visit Pakistan Year 2007" as an international tourism promotional event organised by the Ministry of Tourism of Pakistan.

This year celebrations would be unique in the way high monks from Korea will be visiting Pakistan on special invitation of Government of Pakistan.

This year Pakistan expects a large group from Sri Lanka comprising Ministers, Deputy Ministers, high levels monks, government officials, Buddhist followers, historians, academicians, journalists to participate in these celebrations starting from March 26.

The inauguration ceremony will held in Islamabad. President of Pakistan Pervez Musharraf will formally inaugurate 6 day long Gandhara Week.

During Gandhara Week, Ministry of Tourism has organised a host of programmes including seminars, cultural show, folk music and visit of archaeological sites of Buddhist civilization as a tribute to the teachings of Lord Buddha.

High monks from Korea and other Buddhist countries would specially bless participants of the celebration by their presence. Gandhara Week in Pakistan provides a unique platform to people of different cultures to come close to each other to promote love, peace and brotherhood for the welfare of mankind.