Former Punjab Chief Minister and senior PML-N leader Hamza Shahbaz Sharif inaugurated the Shah Allah Ditta Buddha Caves Preservation Project in Islamabad on Wednesday. The event was intended to mark a significant step in preserving and promoting Pakistan’s Buddhist heritage and shared cultural history.
During the visit, Secretary National Heritage and Culture Division Asad Rehman Gillani briefed Sharif on the project's completion, its key features, and the total cost. A documentary was screened during the opening ceremony to show the archaeological significance of the caves and their association with Buddhist worship.
Sharif praised the Ministry of National Heritage and Culture for its efforts to restore the site. He noted that the location is surrounded by mountains and green trees, and stated that the initiative would project a positive and soft image of Pakistan internationally. He observed that Islam teaches respect for other religions, the protection of minority rights, and the safeguarding of places of worship.
Sharif requested Federal Minister Aurangzeb Khan Khichi to coordinate with authorities to build a better and more direct access road to the caves. He argued that improved connectivity would help visitors, promote local tourism, and create jobs for nearby communities. He also welcomed diplomats and visitors from Buddhist countries to visit the site with their families as a symbol of mutual respect and religious harmony.
Federal Minister for National Heritage and Culture Aurangzeb Khan Khichi thanked Sharif for the inauguration and stated the government is committed to protecting all Buddhist heritage sites in Pakistan. He called on the Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) and the media to raise awareness about the site's significance. Khichi told participating diplomats that under Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, the government aims to strengthen cultural diplomacy and promote interfaith harmony.
The ceremony included Federal Minister Rana Mubashar, Member of the National Assembly Anjam Aqeel Khan, former Deputy Mayor Islamabad Syed Zeeshan Shah, SAPM Aon Chaudhary, SAPM Talha Barki, and various senior officials and diplomats. At the end of the event, Syed Zeeshan Shah presented a souvenir to Sharif.
