Heritage site: Students visit Jamal Garhi in Mardan

SWABI: Students from University of Swabi visited the ruins in Jamal Garhi, a fifth century CE Buddhist monastery and circular stupa in Mardan, on Friday. The tour was organised by Idea Vision Swabi, an NGO, in collaboration with the provincial tourism department. Idea Vision Swabi Project Manager Ajmal Shah Yousafzai discussed the importance of ancient ruins, saying, “The ruins of Jamal Garhi are our national heritage; it is our duty to protect and preserve it.” During the visit, students learned about the Gandhara culture and the historical places at the site. The students lauded the efforts made by the tourism department and vowed to teach future generations to preserve the heritage sites. Jamal Garhi lost a wall in the 7.5 magnitude earthquake that ripped through various parts of Pakistan and Afghanistan on October 26, 2015.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 5^th, 2016.