Minister for exploring Gandhara era monuments

Officials of the PM’s Task Force visit Buddhist archaeological sites in Shah Allah Ditta

ISLAMABAD:

Minister of State and Prime Minister Task Force on Gandhara Tourism Chairman Dr Ramesh Kumar Vankwani on Wednesday stressed the need to explore monuments built during the Gandara era to promote religious tourism in the country.

Officials of the PM’s Task Force organised a visit to the Buddhist archaeological sites in Shah Allah Ditta in the federal capital.

According to a statement, ambassadors of Thailand and Indonesia, diplomats, members of civil society, and the media attended the event. Talking to the media, Ramesh said Islamabad’s history is as old as human history.

The chairman said remnants of Hinduism and Buddhism can be found in the federal capital. He underlined the need to explore these sites to attract international tourists to Pakistan, with an aim to generate revenue through religious tourism.

He was of the view that Pakistan was home to a multitude of heritage sites, monuments and historic buildings which demonstrates the diverse layers of history of this region.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 1^st, 2023.