The document discusses opportunities for cultural collaboration between Afghanistan and Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province across several areas: - They share the Greco-Buddhist art of Gandhara civilization and could work together to preserve and promote this cultural heritage. - Both regions are known for handicrafts like embroidery and carpet making, and exchange programs could help transfer skills and increase exports. - Musicians in both areas enjoy similar styles and instruments, and could collaborate on joint music projects and festivals. - Classic Persian and Pashto poetry plays an important role in both cultures, and literary events could promote shared languages. - The cuisine, languages, sports, religions, and attire of the regions

1. Points on Tourism, Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs
CULTURE
Gandhara civilization, Art and Archeology
The world-famous Gandhara art-form based on Greco-Buddhist art flourished
between the 1st and 7th century in both Afghanistan and Pakistan. Peshawar
Museum houses the world’s largest Gandhara collection. Archaeological experts
from both sides of the two brotherly countries can help in preserving, promoting and
reviving this shared heritage and exquisite art work.
Handicrafts
Both Afghanistan & Pakistan/KP are known for their cultural crafts. Afghani
embroideries on clothes and homeware such as cushion covers and bedspreads are
very famous in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region; Exhibitions or Expos in both
countries showcasing the cultural heritage will be most beneficial in creating win-win
situations for Afghanistan and Pakistan .
Making of the beautiful oriental rugs and carpets: Exchange programs for training
labour can prove to be beneficial for both the regions; transfer of know-how and skills
and enhanced international exports.
Music
Lyrics across the border are typically in both Dari (Afghan Persian) and Pashto.
Pakistan based female musician Zeb Bangash from Kohat Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has
a huge fan following in Afghanistan. The singer has made several performances in
that country. Similarly people in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province are very fond of
listening to Nashenas, the famous Afghan singer.
Afghans enjoy music by playing many types of instruments. They also enjoy
performing the Attan, which is considered the national dance of Afghanistan, so as
people in KP province across the border.
Musicians and artists from both the regions can collaborate on many joint projects.
Music festivals and training schools can also help bring people together.
Poetry
Classic Persian and Pashto poetry plays an important role in the Afghan
culture. Khushal Khan Khattak & Rahman Baba are considered to be the greatest
Pashto poets of Afghanistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Literary festivals and conferences can prove to be fruitful. Increased collaboration
between Kabul Adabi Tolana and Peshawar Adabi Tolana for promotion of the
Pashto language. (In 1992 a joint conference in Baragali proposed guidelines for
script and alphabet standardization of Pashto and Pakhto dialects. Such joint
research conferences must be continued)
Languages
People living in the south and east of Afghanistan speak Pashto so as people across
the border in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
Ease of common communication medium: a musical or any kind of specialized Radio
or TV program or a Blog in which people from Afghanistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
can send peace and friendship messages.

2. Cuisine
From Afghani Pulao to Afghani Nan; people in Pakistan especially the Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa province are very fond of the Afghani cuisine. In fact it is part of their
daily diet.
Combined culinary schools, festivals, TV shows and competitions in the regions can
do wonders.
Religion
Islam is the main religion in both regions. Well educated religious scholars from both
the countries can collectively play an important role in promoting notions of tolerance
and eradicating ignorance.
Attire
Almost similar kind of Shalwar Kameez and Peshawari Chappal for men can be
found in both the regions. Pakistani fashion industry has flourished widely in the last
10 years. Collaborative projects between Pakistani designers and Afghani artisans
will be a great option.
SPORTS
Well rounded national cricket teams; Partnerships for promoting friendly sports
through annual events/competitions, coaching schools, sports goods manufacturing
etc.
TOURISM
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Afghanistan – Bridge between the World and Central Asia.
Shared border: Besides Torkham Crossing point. More trade corridors and crossing
points should be identified and functionalized particularly in Kurram and Waziristan
regions.
Chitral is strategically placed as the shortest air route for access to Afghanistan and
Central Asia. It has potential for turning into an international airport and establishing
direct air link between the two countries.
Health Tourism: Many Afghans come to Pakistan for seeking health services. This
area has tremendous potential for this kind of tourism.
“Buzkushi” Afghan sport drew a lot of foreign tourists when it was staged in Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa in the past. Similarly Shandur Mountain Polo and Broghil Yak festival
have universal appeal. Buzkushi teams can be invited to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on
festive occasions.
Investment potential in Tourism
The present government of KP has conceived more Tourism mega-projects for
international investment purposes in the last one and half year which is
unprecedented in the province’s history. The main mega-projects are: Revival of
Malamjabba Hotel & Ski resort, Resort hotel at Changlagali, Tourism Adventure
theme park in Galiyat, Chairlift from Naran to Saiful Muluk in Kaghan Valley,
Recreation and Watersports facilities at Hund, Swabi, Kheshgi and so on)
YOUTH AFFRAIS
Youth Exchange programmes need to be organized along with Cultural Exchange
Programmes to get the youth of both countries accustomed to each other’s cultural
heritage and also potential for studies, employment and future collaboration between
the two brotherly countries.