Gandhara Cultural Festival opens with focus on heritage preservation

Islamabad:The much -anticipated Gandhara Cultural Festival, marking the launch of the "Promoting Gandhara’s Civil­isation & Heritage for Sustainable Eco -Tourism" project, was officially inaugurated at the Pakistan National Council of Arts.

The festival featured cultural stalls by artisans from diverse ethnic backgrounds, showcasing traditional crafts, paintings, and artefacts from the region, including Buddhist stupas and historical representations from Taxila. The event also included an exclusive exhibition of Gandhara artefacts and paintings at the PNCA Art Gallery, celebrating Pakistan’s artistic and historical legacy. The Gandhara dance and instrumental performances, and MoU signing ceremony also took place.

The opening ceremony was attended by Minister Information and Broadcasting and National Heritage and Culture Division Atta ullah Tarar and Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Kareem Kundi. Nadir Gul Barech, CEO of the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund , emphasi sed the significance of the project in both cultural preservation and economic empowerment.

“This initiative marks a milestone in preserving our heritage while simultaneously creating sustainable livelihoods for local communities. By empowering artisans, women entrepreneurs, and developing eco-tourism skills, we are ensuring that our rich history becomes a driver of economic development and global tourism. This project reflects the Prime Minister’s vision for inclusive growth and aligns with UNESCO’s principles of heritage conservation,” he said. Parliamentary Secretary Farah Naz praised the initiative's contribution to promoting interfaith harmony and safeguarding Pakistan’s Buddhist heritage.

“Pakistan is home to some of the world’s most significant Buddhist sites, and this project will showcase our historical treasures while fostering religious harmony. Our government is committed to ensuring that our cultural heritage contributes not only to economic growth but also to global tourism,” she said.

Managing Director of Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) Rana Aftab highlighted the immense potential of Pakistan’s tourism sector, stressing the importance of projects like this in positioning the country as a prime destination for cultural tourism. This project is a step in the right direction, preserving our cultural history and attracting international tourists, which in turn will generate employment and economic growth,” he said. Advis er for National Heritage and Culture Kashif Irshad said Pakistan ha d vast and untapped potential in heritage tourism.