Peshawar (Kubha News) – A new bill has been presented to Pakistan’s National Assembly, calling for the establishment of a “Gandhara Corridor” to connect Pakistan with Buddhist countries in the region.
The Awami National Party of Pakhtunkhwa and some Pashtun nationalist groups have condemned this bill, calling it an attempt to usurp and marginalize the history, culture, and financial resources of Pakhtunkhwa and the Pashtuns.
The bill, presented by Dr. Ramesh Kumar Vankwani, a Member of the Provincial Assembly, aims to promote joint strategies among all government departments and partners to transform Pakistan into a better tourism destination and a global center for Gandhara tourism.
According to this bill, the head of the corridor will be appointed by the Prime Minister, and its headquarters will be in Islamabad.
Dr. Ramesh Vankwani, during the presentation of this bill, said, “Building the Gandhara Corridor will be a game-changer to connect Pakistan with the Buddhist world.” He emphasized that regular tourist influx would improve Pakistan’s economy and strengthen diplomatic relations with Asian countries.
Samar Haroon Bilour, a member of the Awami National Party, says that over 90% of Gandhara civilization’s artifacts are in Pakhtunkhwa, and this bill is a conspiracy to usurp Gandhara civilization’s artifacts in Pakhtunkhwa.
Ms. Bilour says, “If there are ancient artifacts in Pakhtunkhwa, the province has the authority to legislate on them. Gandhara civilization and its artifacts play an important role in Pakhtunkhwa’s revenue sources.”
Khadem Hussain, the party’s cultural officer, says that the Gandhara Cultural Law and now the “Gandhara Corridor” bill are atomic bombs on Pakhtunkhwa’s identity and are efforts to exploit Pakhtunkhwa’s resources and colonial desires.
He says, “In every page of Pakhtunkhwa’s history, there are signs of Gandhara civilization. Gandhara civilization and history belong to Pakhtunkhwa. The center must take back the Gandhara Corridor bill as soon as possible.”
In July 2023, Pakistan government organized a three-day symposium on the revival of Gandhara civilization and Buddhist heritage, attended by over 30 Buddhist dignitaries and Rahebs from China, Nepal, Thailand, Cambodia, South Korea, and other countries.