Pakistan has loaned China 173 pieces of Gandhara Art to China for a three-month exhibition. The art pieces were displayed at the Palace Museum Forbidden City. The 173 works of Gandhara Art from Peshawar, Hund, Taxila, Karachi, Swat, Dir, and Islamabad museums that the Department of Archaeology and Museums gave china will feature in an exhibition in Beijing.
The authorities involved in the exchange believe that the gesture from Pakistan will open new roads of cooperation between the museums and cultural heritage of the two countries.
Meanwhile, the archaeology departments in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab have actively supported the initiative on the part of the Pakistan government. The departments from these provinces loaned some of the best Gandhara Art pieces from their collection.
Deputy Director of the Department of Archaeology and Museums, Dr Mehmoodul Hassan, interacted with the media regarding the exhibition. He stated that the top officials and dignitaries of Pakistan would attend the event. At the same time, Hassan noted that several important agencies, including the Chinese Embassy in Islamabad, the Pakistan Embassy in China, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan, had a crucial role in executing this event.
Meanwhile, the deputy director also commented that joint projects between the nations in these fields would help promote the institutions‘ capacity building. Accordingly, they will become capable of preserving the country’s cultural heritage.
Pakistan has engaged in cultural exchanges of these types with other nations. In 2008, Pakistan loaned 250 historical items to Germany. The artefacts were returned to Pakistan in 2011. However, before their return, the artefacts got an exhibition in Switzerland and France.
The 3artefacts provided by Pakistan authorities include Greek specimens from the best 2nd-century to 5th-century AD collection discovered from the valleys of Swat, Gandhara and Taxila. Additionally, they have life-size and small statues of Siddhartha and Buddha, depicting the birth, early palace life and the periods of Buddha’s life after enlightenment.
