ISLAMABAD: Adviser to Prime Minister for Political, Public Affairs, National Heritage and Culture Amir Muqam said that Pakistan was looking forward to working with all Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) countries to achieve common goals. Addressing 20th meeting of ministers of culture of member states of SCO, he said that Pakistan attaches great importance to SCO and strongly believes that it is unique platform to celebrate our commonalities and to work together to forge common future marked by our rich cultural heritage.

Online meeting was held with Minister of Culture of India in chair in which ministers of culture of SCO Member States and delegates also participated. Meeting was also virtually attended by Secretary for National Heritage and Cultural Fareena Mazhar and other senior officials.

Amir Muqam said that they were ready to collaborate with SCO member states by launching joint initiatives, projects and programmes, ensuring effective participation of folk artists in cultural festivals and events, promoting exchange of research scholars, museums technicians and managers as well as arts and craft experts and undertaking joint publications to focus on cultural similarities in member state. “We strongly believe that cooperation in all fields of culture is crucial to promoting mutual understanding and cooperation among our member states”, he added.

Pakistan is home to variety of ancient sites and historic structures that offer unique glimpse of Taxila, these archeological wonders are reminder of region’s rich cultural heritage.

Pakistan considers cultural relations among SCO member states to be crucial for promoting mutual understanding, building bridges of friendship and strengthening our cultural ties.

SCO member states have diverse cultural and historical traditions and it is essential to explore and celebrate this diversity. It is land of spectacular Gandhara civilisation, Hindu Shahi temples of Salt Range and Tharparkar, he said, adding that it is not only ancient sites and historic monuments, but equally, historic urban cores, stretched from peaks of Khyber in farthest north to southern-most edge of mighty river Indus Peshawar, Multan, Thatta and Karachi and scores of other living cities.

Published in The Daily National Courier, April, 04 2023

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