Two distinguished Pakistani archaeologists were awarded with French's "Officer of Arts et Lettres" here on Wednesday to recognise their contribution in the field of archaeology. Prof Dr Mohammad Ashraf Khan, former Director Taxila Institute of Asian Civilisations, Quaid-i-Azam University, and Dr Fazal Dad Kakar, former Director General Department of Archaeology and Museums, receive the award of Knight of "Arts et Lettres" at ceremony held at the residence of French Ambassador to Pakistan Marc Barety.
Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador Bartey asserted the importance of the French cooperation in the field of archaeology, in particular with the discovery or Mehrgarh site by Jean-Francois Jarrige in 1974 and the continuation. He said that France is keen to give training to young Pakistani archaeologists, adding that the government of France is offering scholarships to the intending Pakistani students of archaeology.
"We are committed to promoting and supporting the government of Pakistan's efforts in the field of higher education and we will continue to extend every possible support to the government of Pakistan," the ambassador told the ceremony at his residence which was also attended by Federal Minister for Education, Professional Training and Heritage Shafqat Mehmood.
He signalled the 60th anniversary of the Archaeological Mission of Indus Valley that will take place on 28th February on the site of Mohenjo Daro and thanked the authorities of the Sindh province for their continuous support. The ambassador reminded the audience of the importance of the Gandhara Civilisation and the extraordinary heritage present today with all the Buddhist temples. He also congratulated the government of Pakistan for its initiative to organise a full mapping of the country and enhance the importance of its heritage.
Ambassador Barety thanked Shafqat Mahmood for his presence. He also thanked Chairman HEC Dr Tariq Banuri and Vice Chancellor Quaid-i-Azam University Dr Muhamad Ali Shah for their support. He also thanked Dr Ashraf and Dr Kakar for their continuous research and the support to the training of a young generation of Pakistani archaeologists who will study in France and work in Pakistan with the support of the world renowned museum "Musee Guimet" of Paris which has the most comprehensible collection of Gandhara Art.
The Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Order of Arts and Letters) is an Order of France, established in May 1957 by the Minister of Culture. Its purpose is the recognition of significant contributions to the arts, literature, or the propagation of these fields. Both of the recipients have graduated from the prestigious French University of La Sorbonne in Paris where they got a PhD.
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