Islamabad, Pakistan – The much-anticipated Gandhara Cultural Festival, marking the launch of the “Promoting Gandhara’s Civilization & Heritage for Sustainable Eco-Tourism” project, was officially inaugurated at the Pakistan National Council of Arts (PNCA). The event brought together esteemed leaders and dignitaries, including Nadir Gul Barech, CEO of the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF), Parliamentary Secretary Ms. Farah Naz, Managing Director of Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) Rana Aftab, Member Provincial Assembly (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) Malik Tariq Awan, and Advisor for Culture and Heritage at PNCA Kashif Irshad and CEO Muhammad Kamran Kurram Welfare Home (KWH).
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Nadir Gul Barech emphasized the significance of the project in both cultural preservation and economic empowerment. He remarked, “This initiative marks a milestone in preserving our heritage while simultaneously creating sustainable livelihoods for local communities. By empowering artisans, women entrepreneurs, and developing eco-tourism skills, we are ensuring that our rich history becomes a driver of economic development and global tourism. This project reflects the Prime Minister’s vision for inclusive growth and aligns with UNESCO’s principles of heritage conservation.”
Parliamentary Secretary Ms. Farah Naz praised the initiative’s contribution to promoting interfaith harmony and safeguarding Pakistan’s Buddhist heritage. “Pakistan is home to some of the world’s most significant Buddhist sites, and this project will showcase our historical treasures while fostering religious harmony. Our government is committed to ensuring that our cultural heritage contributes not only to economic growth but also to global tourism,” she said.
Rana Aftab, Managing Director of PTDC, highlighted the immense potential of Pakistan’s tourism sector, stressing the importance of projects like this in positioning the country as a prime destination for cultural tourism. This project is a step in the right direction, preserving our cultural history and attracting international tourists, which in turn will generate employment and economic growth,” said Rana Aftab.
Kashif Irshad, Advisor for Culture and Heritage at PNCA, shared that Pakistan has a vast and untapped potential in heritage tourism. By 2030, we aim for this sector to contribute $18 billion annually to the national economy, he further added. “We will continue to organize such festivals, providing artisans and communities a platform to share their heritage. These events not only highlight the rich cultural identity of Pakistan but also strengthen, national economy, unity among people of different faiths,” he concluded.
The Gandhara Cultural Festival featured cultural stalls by artisans from diverse ethnic backgrounds, showcasing traditional crafts, paintings, and artifacts from the region, including Buddhist stupas and historical representations from Taxila. The event also included an exclusive exhibition of Gandhara artifacts and paintings at the PNCA Art Gallery, celebrating Pakistan’s artistic and historical legacy.
