‘Religious tourism to boost country’s economy’

Head of the Prime Minister's Task Force for Gandhara Tourism Dr Ramesh Kumar Vankwani has said religious tourism has the potential to boost the country’s economy and improve diplomatic relations with other countries.

Under the auspices of the Prime Minister's Task Force, a roundtable conference was organised in the federal capital for the ambassadors of various countries and appreciate their contributions to the promotion of Gandhara tourism.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Vankwani shared that all arrangements for the three-day international Gandhara conference, which is scheduled to be held in Islamabad from July 11, have been finalised. He informed that the conference will be attended by special guests, including Prime Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif and Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, along with religious leaders from Buddhist-majority countries such as Korea, China, Sri Lanka, and Thailand, who have confirmed their participation.

The delegates of the conference will also be taken on a special tour to Takhtbhai in Mardan and the present-day Taxila ruins.

Dr Ramesh Kumar further said on Buddha's birthday on July 12, the Gandhara Media Awards, a vibrant cultural ceremony, will also be part of the international conference, which will be held at the PNCA auditorium in the federal capital.

During the roundtable conference, various proposals were discussed to bring Pakistan closer to countries that uphold tolerance, respect, and peace in line with the message of peace, compassion, and enlightenment preached by Gautama Buddha.

Diplomats from Nepal, Japan, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Sudan, Malaysia, Norway, Palestine, Spain, Afghanistan, and other countries participated in the roundtable conference.

Many ambassadors also highlighted the difficulties they face in obtaining Pakistani visas, which hinder the promotion of tourism. According to the ambassadors, acquiring NOC for travel beyond the boundaries of Islamabad was also quite challenging. The participants emphasised the importance of direct and chartered flights for Pakistan as well.

In a press briefing afterward, Dr Ramesh Kumar said that if only 0.1 per cent of the Buddhist tourists residing in friendly countries choose Pakistan for their religious pilgrimage, which accounts for approximately 0.5 million individuals, Pakistan would receive an initial inflow of $1.7 billion. This figure could gradually reach up to $6 billion in the next two years, he added.

Responding to a question, Dr Ramesh said that the time is not far when Gandhara tourism will strengthen the national economy and lead to diplomatic successes on the global stage.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 6^th, 2023.