Wednesday, September 18, 2013 – Islamabad—The ceremony of “UNESCO Asia-Pacific Award 2013 for Cultural Heritage Conservation” was held at the prestigious Khaplu Palace the other day in Gilgit Baltistan to recognize the efforts of Aga Khan Cultural Services Pakistan- winner of this year’s award. The Director and Representative UNESCO Islamabad,Dr. Kozue Kay Nagata during the ceremony handed over a plaque to the representative of Aga Khan Cultural Services Pakistan (AKCSP), says a statement issued by UNICEF here on Tuesday.

At this occasion, Dr. Nagata applauded the efforts of those architects, designers, experts and individuals involved in reinstating the lost grandeur of Khaplu Palace, built in 1840s by Raja of Khaplu. She highlighted in her speech that Pakistan stands 3rd in the ranking of achieving UNESCO awards for conservations in the whole Asia-Pacific region and the credit goes to the consistent and valuable efforts of AKCSP in the field of conservation.

She also stressed on the need of replicating such initiatives in other parts of the country. The selection of the palace for the award of distinction was made in June this year after a panel of eight international conservation experts in Bangkok reviewed 47 nominations for the Award from Asia-Pacific region. The ex-legislator of Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly, Muhammad Iqbal, other Members of the GB Legislative Assembly, notable elders of the community, local media and AKCSP representatives were also present at the award ceremony.

Mr. Iqbal on behalf of the management of Khaplu Palace thanked UNESCO for introducing such motivational programme, which spread a message of peace and harmony in the whole humanity. The UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation is a programme that recognizes the efforts of individuals.—APP