Punjab University's Department of Archaeology, in collaboration with Higher Education Commission (HEC), will hold a three-day international conference on 'Gandhara at the Cross Roads of Civilisations - Art and Architecture' on Tuesday, 10th April which would continue till April 12.
Federal Minister for Culture Dr G G Jamal will be the chief guest while vice-chancellor Punjab University Lieutenant General (Retd) Arshad Mahmood will preside over the inaugural ceremony. The purpose of the conference is to bring the national and foreign scholars together under one roof.
To assess the role played by Gandhara in disseminating as well as assimilating new ideas, themes, techniques and beliefs in the field of art and architecture in the light of latest researches by scholars both at national and international level. Professor Dr Jonathan Mark Kenoyer from Wisconsin, USA and Professor Farid Khan of Peshawar University will present their keynote addresses and highlight the significance of Gandhara in the development of religious art.
Another speaker will be Saqib Aleem who is heading the Pakistan National Commission for Unesco on the role being played by Unesco for the preservation of the cultural heritage of Pakistan with special emphasis on the monuments, sculptures and other master pieces of art from Gandhara region.
The inaugural ceremony will be followed by seven technical sessions. Scholars will present their latest researches on the various aspects of Gandhara. A special session has also been designated on 'World Archaeology' to provide an opportunity, to the foreign delegates to inform us the development of contemporary religious art in other countries in relation to Gandhara Culture. The delegates from USA, Canada, Japan, Iran and India are expected to attend the moot.