TAXILA, March 26: South Korea is keen to enhance its cooperation to the government of Pakistan with special focus on preservation and excavation of Gandhara sites scattered in various parts of the country. This was stated by the chief monk of South Korea, Jeon Woon Deok, while talking to mediapersons at the Archaeological Museum here on Saturday. Mr Deok, who along with 19 other monks is on a state visit to Pakistan, visited the museum and ancient sites of Sirkap, commonly knows as the second city of Taxila, and Julian, the ancient Buddhist university. He was of the opinion that Buddhism flourished from the areas now under Pakistan and not from India. He said his delegation would hold meetings with Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and President Gen Pervaiz Musharraf to offer South Korean assistance in the form of technical experts, scholars, researchers and material for excavation and preservation of different Gandhara sites. The chief monk said South Korea was ready to send its experts to assist and train Pakistani archaeologists.

Replying to a query, he said his visit aimed at enhancing cooperation with Pakistan in the sphere of culture. He said people had thronged an exhibition of Gandhara artifacts organized by Pakistan government in South Korea in 1999. He stressed on holding such exhibitions in South Korea every year.

GANDHARA WEEK: Tourists and foreign dignitaries will visit Taxila Museum and other archaeological sites to take part in the Gandhara Week celebrations starting from Sunday.

Talking to reporters, Deputy Director Museums and Archaeology Dr Mohammad Ashraf Khan said the idea behind celebrating this week was to promote the cultural heritage of the country.

The purpose of organizing the event from March 27 to April 3 was to provide an opportunity to the people to see the collection of artifacts in museums of Taxila, Peshawar and Swat, he added.

He said the tourism ministry with the collaboration of other departments, including archaeology and museums, had planned to celebrate Gandhara Week to attract foreign tourists.

The Directorate of Museums and Archaeology would hold exhibitions and publish booklets and pamphlets regarding the Gandhara civilization.

The deputy director said tourists from Korea, Japan, China, Thailand, United Kingdom, the US and other countries were expected to visit the archaeological monuments, stupas and monasteries of Taxila, Takht Bai and Saidu Sharif.

Mr Khan said the week-long event would hopefully give a boost to the tourism industry. It will also encourage the tourists to explore Pakistani culture, he added.