Punjab Governor Rafiq Rajwana has said that Pakistan is rich in cultural heritage and it is the need of hour to promote the teaching of the saints and the philosophy of intellectuals for creating sentiments of love, peace and tranquility.
He expressed these views at Punjab House, Islamabad on Tuesday while talking to a delegation of Archaeological and Historical Association of Pakistan led by its Chairman Dr Ghazanfar Mehdi.
The governor said that cultural heritage is being preserved in the entire world and there are many world reputed historical and culturally important places in Pakistan especially in the northern areas which need to be developed for the promotion of tourism.
He also highlighted the role of historians and archaeologists in the dissemination of knowledge and awareness to the young generation about the importance of these places.
Malik Muhammad Rafiq Rajwana asked members of the association to prepare guidelines for protection, repair and preservation of national heritage sites located in different parts of Pakistan. He said that government would extend all possible assistance for the preservation of the historical places.
Governor Punjab admired the contributions and keen interest of the association members who had devoted themselves for rehabilitation and protection of the shrines of saints by conducting various kinds of activities and assured all possible assistance in this regard.
Dr Ghazanar Mehdi briefed the meeting on activities of the association and said that diplomats and archeology-loving personalities are associated with the association and a number of caravans had been conducted for visit to these famous sites.
Renowned historians, writers, intellectuals including Vice Chancellor Pristine University Abdul Basit, Professor Dr Riaz Ahmed, Gill Rahat Iftikhar, Rachael Chen Public Affairs Officer US. Consulate General Lahore, Hassan Qazi, Alhaj Muhammad Iqbal Khan, Mukhtar Hussain Talpur, Subtain Raza Lodhi, Jameel Bhatti, Nayer Sarhadi, Ali Mehdi, Aasia Chaudhry, Syed Ehsan Shah, Muhammad Asim, Saaghir Abbas Hamdani, and Rukhsana Nazi presented various suggestions and proposals to the governor for future plans.
Rukhsana Nazi and Dr. Riaz Ahmed presented their books to the Punjab governor on the occasion.
