Islamabad mayor announces preservation of ancient Buddhist sites in capital

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ISLAMABAD: Mayor of Islamabad, Sheikh Anser Aziz has said that peace, love and tolerance are hallmarks of the teaching of Gautama Buddha. These values of Buddhism are appreciated across the globe and the Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad (MCI) will provide all available resources for preserving ancient sites present in the capital.

The mayor expressed these views while addressing the participants of peace walk organised by the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Nepal in collaboration with MCI at F-9 Park here on Monday.

The peace walk was led by Sheikh Anser Aziz and Sewa Lamsaal Adhikari, Ambassador of the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal. Ambassadors of several other countries, as well as, delegates and people from the civil society participated in the walk which was organised to commemorate the occasion of Gotham Buddha’s birth.

The mayor said that the teachings of Buddha are centred around peace and non-violence. He said that Nepal holds a special space in the political and cultural landscape of Pakistan. He said that Pakistan and Nepal share a history of mutual respect, affection and support for each other. Pakistani’s are determined to capitalise on the legacy of shared cultural heritage and to develop the country as a hub for Buddhist religious tourism.

He also said that the MCI has taken concrete steps for the preservation of ancient caves of Buddha located at Shah Allah Ditta.

The Nepalese ambassador informed that the day of the full moon in the month of Baisakh has been a special occasion in Nepal being the birthday of Gautama Buddha.

“The people of Nepal cherish Buddha’s teachings of peace and non0violence as part of their culture in everyday life,” she said.