Once a hub of Buddhism, Pak today bereft of even relics of Gandhara civilization

Karachi, Aug.18 (ANI): The Buddhist religion is virtually extinct in Pakistan, as there is not even a single monastery in the country which once remained a hub of Buddhism.

Pakistan, where the Gandhara civilization is believed to have flourished, holds an eminent place in the Buddhist theology. However, due to continuous suppression and disregard over the years the religion slowly died out from the region.

The Goethe-Institute of Pakistan organized a visual presentation of Buddhist relics on Monday in order to arouse interest and create awareness regarding Buddhism.

The presentation which was delivered by Department of Archaeology and Museums, Assistant Director, Mehmood-ul-Hassan, focused on the life of Siddhartha Gautama Buddha and the development of the Buddhism in the region, The Daily Times reports.

Hassan said Buddhism was heavily destroyed in the region after the invasion of White Huns. Following the invasion Buddhists started migrating to Far-East Asia.

He said second Buddha was born in Swat and that is the reason why the Valley region was rich with Buddhist relics.

He urged the government to introduce courses of arts and heritage in the schools and colleges so that students could know about their culture and heritage.

"We have no other option but to save these relics, these are our cultural identities," said Hassan. (ANI)