A week-long photo exhibition of historic sites of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa preserved under the "United States Ambassador Fund for culture preservation" formally began on Monday.
US Consul General in Peshawar, Dr Marie Richards inaugurated the exhibition, which will continue a week in Peshawar Musuem. The exhibition aimed to highlight the significance of rich cultural heritage and historical sites of KP restored under the fund.
KP Minister for Information Mian Iftikhar, Provincial Minister for Sports Tourism, Youth Affairs Syed Aqil Shah, acting Public Officer of US Consulate Rebecca Danis, Secretary Informational and Culture Azmat Hanif Orkzai, Secretary Sports Syed Jamal Uddin, Director Archives Professor Dr Shah Nazar, people from different walk of life were also present.
Marie Richards, while speaking on the occasion highlighted the importance of rich cultural heritage of KP, saying that the US recognises the importance of not only investing in livelihoods, but also fostering an appreciation for the value of Pakistan's unique cultural heritage among its next generation. Ms Marie informed that US had extended $1.8million under US Ambassador Fund for Culture Preservation for more than 17 projects in Pakistan during last a decade, most of them sites preserved in KP.
She said that active participation of people different walk of life, especially youth in the exhibition was a encouraging for creation of awareness about the rich historic cultural heritage. She further said that the photographs reflect the ancient and historic beauty of some of Pakistan's most famous cultural sites. She said that a joint effort had carried out between Pakistan and US to preserve and restore the national treasures," Consul General Marie Richards said.
"We are proud to play a role in these young people's discovery of their wonderful patrimony," she added. She informed that the US has partnered with the Pakistani government to safeguard the region's precious cultural artefacts for future generations. The KP Minister for Information and Syed Aqil Shah, while extending special gratitude for US support to preserve rich cultural heritage, stressed the need for provision of financial assistance for preservation of historical heritage of the KP.