Pakistan home of Buddhist heritage says head of Korean delegation

ISLAMABAD, NOV 24 (DMN) - Pakistan home of Buddhist heritage says head of Korean delegation. Ven. Wonhaeng, President of Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism has praised the hospitality extended to them by the government and people of Pakistan.

He labelled Pakistan as home of ancient Buddhists heritage and tourist-friendly country.

He expressed these views while speaking during a reception hosted by Ambassador of Republic of Korea Kwak Sung-kyu  for the visiting delegation.

Pakistan home of Buddhists heritage says head of Korean delegation

Ambassadors from ASEAN and Buddhist countries also attended the reception.

Ven. Wonhaeng further said he also promised to deliver a good word back home about that.

He underlined the need to improve the allied infrastructure and facilities at the heritage sites and to properly publicize Pakistan’s rich cultural and historical treasures to the world.

In this regard, the Korean Buddhists delegation is willing to make contributions, with that Pakistan can become a priority tourism destination for Buddhists monks, he added.

Ambassador of Republic of Korea Kwak Sung-kyu said in a bid to boost cultural interaction between Korea and Pakistan and responding to Prime Minister of Pakistan’s initiative to promote religious tourism, particularly, Buddhist tourism in the country, over 60 members’delegation of Korean Buddhist pilgrims led by Ven. Wonhaeng, President of Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism visited Pakistan.

Pakistan home of Buddhists heritage says head of Korean delegation

The delegation’s pilgrimage covered historical sites and heritage located in Lahore, Gilgit, Hunza, Islamabad, Taxila, Peshawar, Takht-i-Bahi in Mardan and Chota Lahore in Swabi District etc.

They offered prayers at Buddhists sacred sites for international peace and interfaith harmony.

The delegation received an overwhelming welcome from federal and respective provincial governments.

They called on President of Pakistan  Dr.ArifAlvi, Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan and Foreign Minister, Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi.

Governor of Punjab, Mohammad Sarwar, hosted a lunch and Governor of KP, Shah Farman, hosted a dinner reception respectively for the Buddhists pilgrims.

Atif Khan, Senior Minister for Sports, Youth Affairs, Tourism Culture, Archaeology and Museum, KP hosted a lunch at his residence in Mardan, KP for the delegation.=DMN

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