Taxila is situated about 32 km northwest of Islamabad, just off the Grand Trunk Road. - File Photo

TAXILA, Feb 16: Keeping in view unique expertise of the craftsmen in carving the black stone, Punjab government would soon declare Taxila as a craftsmen city.  

Secretary Industries Punjab Dr Shujaat Ali said this on Thursday while speaking as a chief guest at a ceremony in which ten master artisans were given certificates of excellence to mark the launching of ‘design development and value addition in stone crafts at Taxila’ by Punjab Small Industries Corporation (PSIC).

He said the unique art of black stone carving would be documented and its masterpieces would be showcased in exhibitions at domestic as well as international level. He said in this regard, this three-year project had been launched by Punjab Small Industries Corporation (PSIC) with the estimated cost of Rs43m to revive the dying crafts industry. He said latest techniques and modern designs would be introduced in the industry to capture international markets for the artifacts.

Speaking on the occasion, Managing Director PSIC Farhan Aziz Khawaja said, modern scientific lines would be adopted for the revival of dying crafts including design, value addition and product development of stone crafts.— Correspondent

Opinion

Editorial

Pressure politics
27 May, 2026

Pressure politics

THE Abraham Accords were presented as a historic peace initiative in the Middle East. In reality, they were...
Eid’s true spirit
Updated 27 May, 2026

Eid’s true spirit

Pakistan celebrates Eid while grappling with economic strain that continues to weigh heavily on ordinary households.
Cotton crisis
27 May, 2026

Cotton crisis

PAKISTAN’S declining cotton economy is rapidly turning into a case study in policy contradiction. Amid endless...
Balochistan tragedy
Updated 26 May, 2026

Balochistan tragedy

The state keeps reiterating the role of hostile foreign actors in fomenting unrest, yet seems to be short on ideas on how to prevent the ingress of such actors and their ideologies in Baloch society.
Economic engagement
26 May, 2026

Economic engagement

AN array of investment MoUs valued at $7bn signed during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s China visit signifies...
Flotilla abuse
26 May, 2026

Flotilla abuse

THE testimonies that have emerged from international activists, who were part of a Gaza-bound flotilla, paint a...