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NEWS | EASTERN HORIZON 59

Pakistan’s president Dr. Arif Alvi speaking at “Buddhism in Pakistan:
History, Archaeology, Art and Architecture.” From app.com.pk

From britannica.com

Prof. Paul further stated: “Our books must be under
the constitution of Pakistan that prohibits teaching
a religion to students other than their own and the
protection of minorities. Removing discrimination and
biases is perhaps the most efficient and inexpensive
way forward to improve the quality of education.” He
added: “Inclusive education and religious diversity President Dr. Arif Alvi and Begum Samina Arif Alvi viewing Buddhist art
can ensure the return of peace in Pakistan.” (Academia at the International Conference and Arts Festival. From app.com.pk

Magazine).

For Buddhists in Pakistan, the move comes at a highlighting the role the country once played as a key
crucial time. There are few communities of Buddhist nexus in the spread of the religion. In his address, he
practitioners in the country, but a lack of places for reportedly also said, “Buddha taught that in presence
worship and teachers has led some to worry that the of worldly desires, there could not be a peace and this
religion could die out in the country.* Meanwhile, message was reflected in the image of fasting Buddha.
archeologists have unearthed several ancient Buddhist The Buddhism stressed upon curbing of desires in life
sites in the country in recent years, increasing interest to becoming familiar with other basic human emotions.”
among Buddhist scholars and practitioners in visiting (Associated Press of Pakistan)
the country.** In 2019, the government of Pakistan gave
authorization to the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism According to the 2017 census, Muslims make up 96.2
to establish a Buddhist temple at an ancient site in the percent of Pakistan’s population, Hindus 1.6 percent,
country.*** Christians 1.59 per cent, Ahmadis 0.22 per cent, and
other minorities 0.07 per cent.
In a conference this week, Pakistan’s president Dr. Arif
Source: Buddhist Door, www.buddhistdoor.net EH
Alvi said that Buddhism’s propagation to places such
as Korea and Japan came by way of northern Pakistan,