RAWALPINDI: Speakers in a seminar emphasised on preserving the history and ancient culture of the Gandhara region to attract tourists.

The seminar was organised in the Rawalpindi Arts Council (RAC) highlighting Gandhara’s culture and civilisation, narratives, history and art on the eve of the Gandhara Festival 2023.

Dr Ghaniur Rahman presided over the seminar while Dr Zubia Sultana performed the duties of host in the seminar.

A large number of students from different cities participated in the seminar.Dr Ghaniur Rahman said in his address that Pakistan came into existence on the basis of civilisations which are thousands of years old.

It was an ancient kingdom mentioned in the Vedas and Buddhist scriptures and extended to present-day Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab and Potohar. When Ashoka came here in 230 BC, people converted to Buddhism in great numbers. It was a modern civilisation where there were monasteries, places of worship, educational institutions and commercial centres.

“Its architecture came from the confluence of Greco-Iranian and local culture. You are an example of engraving on sculptures and vessels found under Gandhara art,” he added.

Prof Dr Saadeed Arif, Prof Dr Abdul Hameed Chitrali, Dr Tahir Saeed, Dr Darial Chan while addressing the seminar shed light on the various periods of Gandhara civilisation, history and art. The seminar discussed religious, cultural and archaeological aspects of the Gandhara civilisation.

Addressing participants of the seminar, they emphasised on restoring the lost importance of the national heritage of Pakistan, especially the centre of Gandhara civilisation, regarding Buddhism.At the end of the seminar, a question and answer session was held with the students.

At the end of the seminar, Mehfil-i-Sama was organised where Imran Aziz Mian performed Dum Ali Ali, Yeh Hai Mekda, Allah Hi Jaane, Nabi Nabi and Tera Jalwa.

A painting exhibition and Sufi night programme will be held today.

Meanwhile, on Wednesday night, Potohari Musical Night was organised. Director of the council Waqar Ahmed was special guest of the musical night.Naeem Hazarvi, the famous singer of Potohar, enthralled the audience through his beautiful voice.

Mr Ahmad said that the government was playing its role towards bringing the ancient cultural heritage of Punjab to the people. Fairs are being organised to bring the culture of Gandhara, Sind, Harappa and Cholistan to the people.

On the fourth day of the festival, a Mehfil-i-Mushaira was organised, chaired by the presidential award-winning poet Dr Abdul Waheed, while other poets included Anjum Salimi, Nasir Ali Nasir, Rukhsana Sahar, Asima Tahir, Rashida Mahin Malik, Afzal Khan, Mazharul Haque, Hafeezullah Badal, Arshad Miraj, Gulnaz, Bashri Naz, Saeed Raja, Rawesh Nadeem, Shoaib Kayani, Hasan Abbas Raza.

People were seen at stalls of expert artisans in the festival. The festival will continue till Feb 4.

Published in Dawn, February 3rd, 2023