On Tuesday, 11 July 2023, Ambassador Azhar attended the Gandhara Symposium 2023 held at Serena Hotel in Islamabad. The 3-day symposium, from 11 to 13 July 2023, brought together senior Buddhist monks and delegates from China, Malaysia, Nepal, South Korea, Sri Lanka and Thailand. The primary objective of the symposium was to promote the significance of the Gandhara civilization and highlight Pakistan's rich Buddhist heritage.
The symposium aimed to creating awareness about Gandhara and fostering an appreciation for Pakistan's diverse cultural heritage. It also focused on promoting religious tourism in Pakistan, recognizing its potential to the country's tourism industry. Distinguished speakers from Buddhist majority countries including faith leaders, archaeologists, curators, experts, religious scholars, and academicians, shared their insights on the richness of the Gandhara civilization and the importance of preserving and promoting its Buddhist heritage. The symposium provided a platform for fruitful discussions and exchanges of ideas.
