ISLAMABAD: China is ready to provide training to archaeological experts and researchers of Pakistan on the methods to preserve the potential archaeological sites and artefacts, said a six-member Chinese delegation led by Zhang Xiaolan on Wednesday during a meeting with National History and Literary Heritage (NH&LH) Division Secretary Aamir Hasan.
Welcoming the Chinese delegation, Secretary Aamir Hasan said Pakistan and China are tied in the long lasting relation of iron brothers. This relation is strengthening with each passing day through mutual trust and cooperation. He said Pakistan and China need to enhance cooperation in the fields of literature, history and culture like other fields. Aamir Hasan said the division under the supervision of Adviser to Prime Minister on NH&LH, Irfan Siddiqui is diligently working on the plan to establish National Museum of Pakistan at federal capital which would help preserve thousands of artefacts.
He said the foundation stone of this state-of-the-art museum will be laid early next year as per the vision of Adviser to Prime Minister, Irfan Siddiqui.
The federal secretary said Pakistan is a centre of ancient civilisations and the holy places of different civilisations including Sindh Valley, Mohenjodaro, Gandhara, Mehrgarh, Harappa exist in Pakistan. He said Pakistan always ensure best arrangements for Sikh Yatrees and Buddhists when they visit their holy places in Pakistan to celebrate their religious festivals as the constitution of Pakistan ensure complete religious freedom to minorities.
The members of Chinese delegation appreciated the efforts of the present government for focusing on the promotion of literature and culture and offered to provide training to the Pakistani experts on the preservation of archaeological sites and antiquities to enhance their capabilities.
The delegation later visited the week-long exhibition “National Heritage of Pakistan” at Islamabad Museum, Sir Syed Memorial, displaying hundreds of antiquities. The delegation members showed a keen interest in the antiquities of different eras and appreciated the efforts of the division for arranging this novel activity. The meeting was also attended by Joint Secretary, NH&LH division, Capt (R) Abdul Majeed Niazi, Deputy Secretary, Nazir Ahmad and other officials of the division.
Meanwhile, a weeklong exhibition titled ‘National Heritage of Pakistan’ concluded on Wednesday after providing art lovers with an insight into historical and cultural events through a variety of antiquities representing different eras of Buddhists, Sikhs, Mughal and Hindus. The week-long exhibition was arranged by Department of Archaeology and Museums (DoAM) at Islamabad Museum in connection with the 70th Independence Day celebrations.
A number of art lovers especially students of different educational institutions from twin cities visited the exhibition to see around 500 displayed antiquities belonging to different periods of the history of Pakistan including sculptures, pottery, coins, art objects, manuscript, weapons etc.
“Nations which keep their culture and traditions alive can only survive and live a dignified life. This exhibition is indeed a marvellous effort to pass on the rich cultural heritage to the younger generation”, said a visitor, Muneeb Akhtar. “It is good that the officials of the department are present at the venue all the time to guide the visitors about the significance of these antiquities”, he said while talking to APP. Another visitor, Samia Muneer said archaeology was once a dormant subject and not given patronage at government level however now the present government was taking strong initiatives to preserve our cultural heritage. She said educating the youngsters about our rich cultural heritage during the present era of modern technology is a need of the hour. The exhibition was inaugurated by Adviser to Prime Minister on National History and Literary Heritage (NH&LH), Irfan Siddiqui on Thursday in a ceremony.
On the concluding day of the exhibition, a six-member Chinese delegation led by Zhang Xiaolan visited the venue and showed a keen interest in the antiquities displayed.
