At the behest of UNESCO, the world-famous fine arts auction house Christie’s has halted a planned auction this month of a fasting Buddha, a nearly 2,000-year-old statue from the Gandhara civilisation, which was believed to have been stolen from Pakistan and sold to a private collector in Germany in the 1980s. Pakistani authorities must prove their claim that the sale was illegal if they are to recover this valuable artefact. What will become of this artefact remains to be seen, yet this news evokes realisation of the rich cultural heritage of this country, despite its increasingly tarnished image as a hub of myopia and intolerance.
Located at the crossroads of South Asia, Central Asia, Western Asia and the Arab Gulf region, Pakistan’s rich cultural heritage is in fact both diverse and unique. It’s historical sites range from the ancient urban settlements of Mohenjo-daro from the Indus Valley civilisation of Sindh and the rich Buddhist Ghandara civilisation, to Mughal monuments, shrines of Muslim mystics, Sikh and Hindu temples and colonial period architecture, as well as numerous natural wonders.
However, at present the cultural diversity of Pakistan and its invaluable natural landscapes receive little attention in comparison to the gigantic political, social and economic problems confronting the country. It is also unfortunate that the present international image of Pakistan obscures the cultural heritage of the country, leading to its increased international isolation. In order to reverse such disturbing trends, it is vital to draw attention to its unique cultural heritage and harnesses its potential to promote a more balanced picture of the country.
A very good article on Dawn here.
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