Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Vibeke Jensen, Representative of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) on Monday said that Pakistan Government, civil society and local community needed to take steps for the conservation of endangered heritage.

She was talking to Daily Times on the first day of the three day exhibition “Ancient Pakistan” held here at auditorium of Foreign Office. Vibeke Jensen was of the view that it was a beautiful exhibition where numerous cultural and art work together were presented.

It is a massive portrait and should be safeguard for the future generation. Everyone should also have the access of Pakistani heritage from outside, she maintained.

She said that there is a room of improvement for the safety and conversation of art work and it need to do more. Many heritages sites like Darawar Fort in Bahawalpur and others need to take care more and through its heritage sites, Pakistan can improve its tourism industry and a soft image of the country outside.

Ina Lepel, German Ambassador to Pakistan termed the exhibition a good initiative saying the event organized in very affective way and it is well managed and planned.

Most of the diplomatic core likes it very much, she said and suggested that people of Pakistan too given opportunity to show case their heritage that they too become aware from their rich civilization. Jean-Francois Cautain, European Union Ambassador to Pakistan said it is great initiative of foreign ministry of Pakistan. “I am here in Pakistan for the last eighth month and this type of event is my first programme to see ancient civilization of Pakistan” he opined.

He said in the exhibition older places, pieces of different ancient and rich culture, which gives a lot to foreigners about the lighter side of Pakistan and help build a positive image of the country too. Dr. Brigitta Blaha, Ambassador of Austria to Pakistan said that very impressive work and beauty of artefacts impressed a lot and it also brings together different countries. She hoped that with this initiative government and other relevant organisations will take steps for the conversion of these resources.

She said that media abroad shows Pakistan’s negative image especially terrorism and extremism. This is soft image of Pakistan and it is really wonderful culture, literature and music.

Lola Castro, Representative of World Food Program said that objective of the exhibition is great Pakistan is country of diverse cultural and multi lingual. “I see a lot of artefacts and known Pakistan this soft side through this programme and it is a positive step in right direction”. She said.

The exhibition was showcasing over 80 artefacts belonging to Indus valley, Mehrgarh and Ghandhara civilizations and paintings depicting these civilizations.

Ceremony was attended by a large number of signatories including members of diplomatic corps, representatives of UN and other international and national organisations.

Students of Taxila Institute of Asian Civilization, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad complained that despite their handwork and their dedication for the exhibition their Institution or University name were not mentioned and nor recognized by the Foreign Office. “They were preparing since three months and artefacts and paintings used by the Foreign Office. But, even not given pick and drop facility to us”, the students complained.