Pakistan is safe for tourism, business: Japanese envoy

Mastuda was amazed at seeing this drinking water facility at the top of the Margalla hills

ISLAMABAD:

Japan’s Ambassador to Pakistan Matsuda Kuninori said on Monday that Tokyo had eased travel restrictions to Pakistan and he personally considered Pakistan a safe country. He said he would encourage Japanese people to visit this country for tourism and exploring business opportunities.

The Japanese envoy made these observations when he visited the centuries-old Buddhist caves located at the foothills of the Margalla in Shah Allah Ditta village with his spouse. He said he felt mesmerised by the beauty and significance of this ancient historical archaeological site. Overcome by emotions after visiting the ancient heritage, Kuninori said, “this is indeed a very important place to visit for me and I feel delighted having this opportunity to see the ancient Buddha caves located in the vicinity of Islamabad.”

He said Pakistan has rich potential in the tourism sector and it can easily become the hub of foreign tourists keeping in view its ancient history, Gandhara civilisation and natural landscape. He added: “After visiting this place, I would recommend this important Buddhist site in Shah Allah Ditta to the Japanese people to visit as this is the area from where Buddhist civilisation reached Japan. The foundation of Japan-Pakistan friendship was in fact laid down centuries ago,” the ambassador said. Moving up the mountain from the caves, the Ambassador also visited the historic Alexander’s well.

He was amazed at seeing this drinking water facility at the top of the Margalla hills established in ancient times. The place is believed to have been used as a route from Kabul to the Gandhara city of Taxila by Alexander the Great.