ISLAMABAD: The Japanese government is considering providing cultural grant assistance for the improvement of equipment for exhibition and conservation in the Taxila Museum.

The Punjab government and tourism department requested the Japanese government for assistance and Japanese development consultants just concluded their visit to Pakistan to appraise the project.

The consultants visited the country, despite challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, to conduct onsite research and hearings; based on a series of discussions and onsite survey in the museum, they identified equipment required for better exhibition and conservation of excavated items from the Gandhara archaeological sites, the Japanese embassy announced on Monday.

While admiring the rich cultural heritage of the Gandhara civilisation, Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan Matsuda Kunionori said that the visit of the Japanese onsite research team is very important to pave the way for seeking approval of cultural grant assistance from the Japanese government.

“With the post-corona world in sight, Japan supports Pakistan in promoting the exhibition and conservation of the Gandhara Buddhist heritage and attract more tourists to Pakistan in the future,” he said, adding Pakistan has great potential for tourism and the Gandhara civilisation is very close to the heart of the Japanese people.

Published in Dawn, April 6th, 2021