ISLAMABAD, Sept 23: Federal Minister for Culture Dr G.G. Jamal on Saturday said the government was committed to maintaining as well as preserving the Buddhist sites in the country.

“We shall provide every facility at the sacred places, including accommodation, to the visitors,” the minister said during a meeting with Sri Lankan monks.

Dr Jamal said Pakistan and Sri Lanka were enjoying cordial relations in every field, and called for exploring new avenues for enhancing cooperation in culture and archaeology.

Minorities, the minister said, were enjoying equal rights in Pakistan with no discrimination. “Islam teaches us the lesson of peace and brotherhood,” he added.

Both sides agreed to exchange cultural delegations and intellectuals to enhance cooperation in the field of archaeology, and to forge people-to-people contacts between the two Asian countries.

The minister presented a replica of a Buddhist stupa and books on Gandhara to the monks’ delegation.— APP