ISLAMABAD: Ambassador of Myanmar to Pakistan U Wunna Han met Federal Minister for National Heritage and Culture Aurangzeb Khan Khichi in Islamabad and discussed ways to further strengthen cultural and heritage ties between the two countries.During the meeting, both sides exchanged views on enhancing bilateral cultural cooperation, promoting the Gandhara Buddhist heritage and expanding people-to-people contacts.
Ambassador U Wunna Han highlighted the spiritual and cultural significance of ancient Gandhara sites, including Taxila, Peshawar, Swat and Takht-i-Bahi, for Buddhists in Myanmar and around the world. He also underscored the historical importance of Gandhara’s Greco-Buddhist art in shaping representations of the Buddha.The ambassador proposed exploring charter flights between Myanmar and Pakistan to facilitate Buddhist pilgrims and cultural tourists visiting sacred and historic sites in Pakistan.
The two sides also discussed shared historical links, including the legacy of the last Mughal Emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar in Yangon and the Burma Campaign during World War II.They agreed to explore greater cooperation through cultural exchanges, heritage events and formal bilateral arrangements to further strengthen friendship between Pakistan and Myanmar.Secretary National Heritage and Culture Division Asad Rahman Gillani and Coordinator to the Prime Minister on Gandhara Imran Shokat also attended the meeting.
