Bhamala Stupa captivates foreign diplomats

Minister calls for efforts to promote religious tourism

HARIPUR:

Ambassadors from various countries Friday visited Bhamala Stupa in Khanpur and were impressed by the ancient religious site.

According to a statement, strict security arrangements were made on the occasion of the arrival of the delegation. State Minister Dr Ramesh Kumar accompanied the visitors to the site.

In an informal conversation during the visit, Ramesh Kumar said that Pakistan is also a tourist country and there is a strong need to highlight its identity at the international level. “Pakistan has always taken concrete and positive steps to promote religious tourism and encouraged them.”

He said that we are trying to promote the importance of religious tourism. In recent days, Gandhara Conference was held in Islamabad's private hotel with the aim of telling the world that Pakistan is also a tourist country in which religious freedom is enjoyed by people of all religions, he added.

Ramesh Kumar also said Bhamala Stupa has also been included in the list of international cultural heritage.

Dr Ramesh Kumar said that the international delegation included ambassadors from Bangladesh, Philippines, Austria and Belgium among other countries, who are also aware of the religious importance of this place. On reaching the Bhamala Stupa, the Regional Officer of Archeology Department, Syed Gul briefed the delegations about the historical importance of the Bhamala Stupa and informed them that more work is in progress on the Bhamala Stupa.

“Khanpur has historical importance. The Department of Archeology has started work in various historical areas and work will be started in many areas in the future.” On this occasion, the ambassadors and Dr Ramesh Kumar appreciated the steps being taken by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Department of Archeology.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 22^nd, 2023.