Islamabad : In the presence of seven members of the diplomatic corps, including the ambassador and high commissioners representing Japan, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Nepal, Myanmar, and Vietnam, on Friday, gathered at the Taxila Museum to celebrate the Vesak Day (birthday) of the Great Budha.
Pakistan’s Ambassador for Bhudda Tourism Imran Shaukat stated on this occasion that the country could attract $30 billion industry by fetching five million Bhuddists in 10 years through 10 prerequisite steps including streamlining visa, NOC for diplomats and visitors, aggressive marketing, organize tour operators, sensitise local population, develop sites and infrastructure, coordinate financing and investments better donors coordination and setup coordination entity of all stakeholders for achieving the desired results.
The hundreds of participants were gathered at the Taxila Museum on this occasion. This impressive function was arranged by the Government of Punjab in collaboration with the diplomatic corps to commemorate the teachings of Budha for learning tolerance, compassion, and love among human beings by eradicating war and hatred on basis of race, religion, and geography.
Two Buddhist monks belonging to Thailand and Sri Lanka also dwelt on the teachings of Budha and asked for ending war, bringing peace and prosperity for humanity at global and regional levels.
First of all, five ambassadors belonging to Sri Lanka, Nepal, Thailand, Myanmar, and Vietnam gathered at Dharmarajika, a place near Taxila Museum, where the remains of Budha were buried in a stupa. The monks delivered a sermon on the teachings of Budha. The ambassadors told reporters that there was a need to ensure direct flights and exchange cultural and religious tourism to promote the relationship. The bilateral trade, according to the Ambassador of Thailand, stood at $1.6 billion per annum, which could be increased to $2.2 billion by removing certain easy bottlenecks.
Later on, Federal Minister for Culture and Heritage Muhammad Aurangzeb Khichi and Punjab’s Minister for Human Rights and Minorities Ramesh Singh Arora joined the representatives of the diplomatic corps at Taxila Museum and planted a sapling alongside the Budha tree.
Federal Minister for Culture and Heritage said on the occasion that Pakistan would preserve and protect the Ghandha sites in order to promote tourism in the country.
Punjab’s Provincial Minister Ramesh Singh Arora stated that Pakistan was a safe place for all religions and faiths, as the Sikh community recently visited on Besakhi day and enjoyed their stay in the country. He said that the provincial government undertook an ambitious plan to preserve and promote heritage sites across the province, and this task would be fulfilled on a sustained basis. The former MNA Haji Malik Umar Farooq, incumbent MPA Mohsin Ayub, Zaheer Shah Zaildar, and Sara Mehmood of GRCP also attended the ceremony.
