President General Pervez Musharraf, highlighting the efforts and measures being taken by the government to promote inter-faith harmony, said on Saturday that exchange of delegations from various religions would be helpful in fostering inter-faith harmony and peace.
He was talking to a delegation of senior Buddhist monks from Korea, Japan and China, led by Jeon Chong Yoon, which called on him here at President's Camp Office.
He appreciated the visit of the monks from the three countries to Pakistan and said there was lot of scope to further promote "religious tourism" in Pakistan for local and foreign tourists.
Highlighting the discovery of 200 artefact from the site of Julian-II, near Taxila, the President said that it was possible due to the ongoing co-operation of Pakistan with other countries, and added that it was a remarkable archaeological success.
The President emphasised the need for further co-operation and assistance between archaeological departments and institutions of different countries for excavation and preservation of artefacts relating to different religions.
The head of the delegation and senior monk from Korea, Jeon Chong Yoon, appreciated the arrangements to welcome the monks for their participation in Gandhara week celebrations. He also informed the President about the keen interest of Buddhist countries like South Korea in the Gandhara and Buddhist Art in Pakistan.
He especially mentioned the collaboration between Pakistan's Department of Archaeology and Museum and Art History Research Institute of 'Donogguk' University, Korea, and added that this co-operation would be helpful in further archaeological excavation, exploration of sites and museum study in Pakistan. The leader of the monks delegation said a large number of Buddhists Stupas and monasteries in the Gandhara region of Pakistan are source of attraction or Buddhists around the world.
He said the members of the delegation took keen interest in the Buddhist archaeological sites in Pakistan as the country has been the cradle of some important civilisations like Gandhara and Indus valley civilisations. The monks' delegation from Korea was led by Jeon Chong Yoon. Zeng Guanj Ding led the monks from China and the delegation from Japan was led by Nishioka Ryoko.