Pakistan views its rich Buddha heritage as Trust: PM     
By Nida Butt 'Pakistan Times' Special Correspondent

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Tuesday said Pakistan views its rich Buddha heritage as a trust and was sparing no effort for its upkeep and preservation.

“Although Pakistan is a predominantly Muslim country but under the constitution all faiths are free to practice their religion”, he maintained.

The Prime Minister was talking to a 35-member Japanese delegation led by Shodo Yoshid, Chief Priest of Kenchoji Temple, Tokyo.

Pakistan had presented a replica of fasting Buddha to Japan at the Eichi IT exhibition last year, which has been placed at Kenchoji Temple in Tokyo.

Prime Minister Aziz said, Islam is a religion of peace and tolerance and believes in inter-faith harmony and inter-cultural understanding.

He said Pakistan has rich Buddha and Gandhara heritage and civilization in Taxila, Takhtbhai and some other unexplored sites, adding, Swat and Northern Areas of Pakistan are also rich in heritage.

The Prime Minister said surrounded by South East Asia, China and the Middle East, “we have a role to promote peace, harmony and inter-faith relations.”

He said all religions and faiths have to work for peace, harmony and tolerance for developing a global citizenry with trusted bonds.

Prime Minister said, Islam is a faith which promotes peace, tolerance and harmony, adding, this is ingrained in Pakistan’s policies and behaviour as well.

He also encouraged the delegates to visit various cities and tourist sites of Pakistan saying, “tourism is a great way of promoting inter-cultural and inter-civilizations bonds and it helps bridge gaps.”

The Prime Minister referred to the last year’s presentation of the replica of fasting Buddha by Pakistan to Japan and said the masterpiece alongwith some other artifacts of Buddha and Gandhara civilizations are well displayed at Lahore museum.

He said Pakistan is proud of its friendship with Japan, who was investing in country’s infrastructure, health and education projects.

Prime Minister Aziz said Pakistan is a developing and growing nation with 160 million people and Pakistan and Japan enjoy good, friendly and business relations.

Shodo Yoshid, Chief Priest of Kenchoji Temple, Tokyo thanked the government of Pakistan for donating the replica of fasting Buddha to Japan.

He also lauded the government’s efforts for up-keeping and preserving the religious and cultural sites of Buddha and Gandhara civilizations.

Minister for Religious Affairs, Ejazul Haq, Minister for Tourism, Nilofar Bakhtiar and State Minister for Minorities Prof. Mushataq Victor were also present in the meeting.●