Myanmar Ambassador, Pakistan Heritage Minister Discuss Cultural Cooperation
Myanmar Ambassador Stresses Importance of Gandhara Heritage for Buddhists
Gandhara Heritage, Religious Tourism Focus of Myanmar-Pakistan Talks
Islamabad – 29 September 2026 (Adnan Hameed): Ambassador of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, U Wunna Han, met with Federal Minister for National Heritage and Culture of Pakistan, Aurangzeb Khan Khichi, at his office in Islamabad.
During the meeting, both sides held warm and constructive discussions on enhancing bilateral cultural cooperation, promoting Gandhara Buddhist heritage, and expanding people-to-people contacts between Myanmar and Pakistan.
Ambassador U Wunna Han emphasized the profound spiritual and cultural significance of ancient Gandhara sites, including Taxila, Peshawar, Swat and Takht-i-Bahi, for Buddhists in Myanmar and around the world. He highlighted the unique historical role of Gandhara’s Greco-Buddhist art in shaping visual representations of the Buddha.
To facilitate Buddhist pilgrims visiting Pakistan’s sacred historical sites, the Ambassador suggested exploring charter flights connecting Myanmar and Pakistan to facilitate travel for pilgrims and cultural tourists.
The Ambassador also recalled the deep historical connections between the two nations, including the legacy of the last Mughal Emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar in Yangon and the shared history of the Burma Campaign during World War II.
Both sides welcomed deeper collaboration through cultural exchanges, participation in heritage events, and advancing formal bilateral agreements to further consolidate friendship between Myanmar and Pakistan.
The meeting was also attended by Asad Rahman Gillani, Secretary of the National Heritage and Culture Division, and Imran Shokat, Coordinator to the Prime Minister on Gandhara.
