MARDAN, Oct 23: The Greek Teachers Association (GTA) has constructed a cultural complex in Kalash valley in Chitral. The centre comprises a health centre, a museum and an educational centre.

Kalash is a beautiful area where an ethnic group, called Kafirs of the Hindu Kush, lives in Bamboret, Ramboor and Birir valleys. Bamboret is a big valley while Ramboor and Birir valleys have small populations.

Kalash people claim that they are descendants of the Greek and had settled down in Chitral valley of the Hindukush when Alexander the Great had invaded this part of the subcontinent in 327 BC.

Zainul Wahab, an expert on the Greek culture and history and Ambassador of Hellenism, disclosed that the Greeks were seriously interested in developing Gandhara, particularly Kalash valley, because they, too, considered Kalash people as their progeny.

Mr Wahab has recently returned from Greece after doing his PhD on South of Hindukush, Gandhara art and Gango Dher materials. He said that Thanasis and Maria Maneta, representatives of the GTA, had completed the culture complex at Kalash valley and added that in this centre culture and heritage of the Kalash people would be preserved.

He said that the Greeks had a role in this part of the world and had left deep impressions on the local culture. He said they did not destroy local culture and traditions even in that age.

He said that a large number of the Greeks visit the area due to their attachment with its culture and it benefits Pakistan in tourism field.

He hailed a recent agreement between Pakistan and Greece in connection with culture and tourism and praised the role of Pakistani ambassador in developing close relations between the two countries.

He claimed that this agreement would facilitate archaeologists of the both countries to discover new avenues in cultural and historical fields. He thanked the Greeks as for generously donating for the earthquake hit areas and people.