Pakistan's Ancient Hindu, Buddhist Sites Face Vandalism, Illegal Occupation Threat

• Ancient Hindu and Buddhist heritage sites in Pakistan, some 5,000 years old, are under severe threat from vandalism, neglect, and illegal occupation.
• Affected areas span Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, Chilas, Hunza, Shatial, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan.
• Extremist groups deliberately deface Hindu and Buddhist imagery; local authorities also paint over ancient carvings, as reported by News18’s Manoj Gupta.
• Intelligence inputs indicate hardline Islamist groups in Chilas, raising concerns for nearby archaeological and religious sites.
• Activists allege Pakistan fails Unesco obligations, urging stronger legal protection, enhanced security, and international monitoring.

Why It Matters: Pakistan's ancient Hindu and Buddhist heritage faces destruction due to neglect, vandalism, and illegal occupation.