ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday felicitated the global Buddhist community as its members observe Vesak Day, which celebrates the birth, enlightenment and death of Gautama Buddha, the founder of their faith.
Vesak Day is among the most sacred days in the Buddhist calendar, with its observance varying among different Buddhist traditions and cultures but generally falling on the full moon day of the ancient lunar month of Vesakha, which occurs in May or early June on the Gregorian calendar.
Although Pakistan does not have a significant Buddhist population, several parts of the country were historically important centers of Buddhism during the Gandhara period, from around the 1st century BCE to the 7th century CE.
The Pakistani government has sought to develop religious tourism in these areas, mainly concentrated in today’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and northern Punjab regions, and has regularly hosted Buddhist pilgrims and religious leaders in recent years.
“On this Vesakh Day, we extend warm wishes to our Buddhist friends worldwide,” the prime minister said in a social media post. “May this day bring peace, prosperity, and harmony to all.”
“Let’s celebrate our shared heritage and continue working toward mutual respect and understanding,” he added.
Pakistan has taken several initiatives aimed at improving its international image by enhancing its treatment of religious minorities and promoting religious tourism. One prominent example is the Kartarpur Corridor, inaugurated in November 2019, which provides visa-free access for Sikh pilgrims from India to visit the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan.
The site is highly significant in Sikhism as it is where Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, spent the last years of his life.
Despite its efforts, however, the country continues to face challenges, including occasional mob violence and discrimination against minorities, highlighting the ongoing struggle to ensure consistent protection and enforcement of minority rights.
