ISLAMABAD, Jan 18: Interaction among cultures plays an important role in the promotion of peace all over the world, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Sheikh Rashid Ahmad said here on Sunday.

He was speaking at the seeing-off ceremony of a cultural caravan to Kot Dhimak and Mangla, organized by the Archaeological and Historical Association of Pakistan (AHAP).

He said Pakistan has a rich cultural heritage and tradition and over a thousand years it had been a hub of various civilizations. "This region produced two great civilizations - Indus and Gandhara. Now in the present scenario of the world it has become very necessary to promote the culture and civilization for sustainable peace and harmony," he said.

State Minister for Environment Rais Munir Ahmad asked the diplomats and media to convey the message of peace to the whole world. He lauded the role of the AHAP in promoting culture and archaeological activities for the last 20 years.

The association has organized more than 100 caravans and a large number of seminars, international and national conferences. The AHAP chairman, Dr Ghazanfar Mehdi, highlighted the importance of the caravan and briefed the participants about the schedule.

"We could promote tourism while giving publicity to these historical sites on international level," he said. Prof (Dr) Ahmed Hasan Dani appreciated Dr A. Q. Khan for renovating the shrine of Shahbuddin Ghauri.