Spanish envoy hails meticulous upkeep of stupa

HARIPUR:

Ambassador of Spain to Pakistan Jose A. de Ory visited the World Heritage site, along with his delegation, and met with Archeology and Museum Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Director Dr Abdul Samad and other officers.

During the visit, the delegation discussed the strong bilateral relations between Spain and Pakistan, tourism and other pertinent issues. Dr Samad gave a detailed briefing on the ancient Buddhist civilisation in Khanpur Julian, commending the department for its exceptional care of the Gandhara civilisation’s heritage sites in Khanpur area.

Dr Samad elaborated on the history and significance of the Buddhist civilisation, which greatly impressed the delegation. They praised the promotion of tourism between the two countries and expressed keen interest in the stupa from the Buddhist era.

The delegation remarked that Pakistan is a peaceful country where tourists from various nations can visit and perform their religious rituals without fear. They acknowledged the positive global image of Pakistan and appreciated the government's efforts to provide facilities and ensure the protection of religious sites for foreign tourists. They emphasised that Pakistan is a tourist-friendly country, welcoming visitors of all religions to explore and enjoy its rich heritage and natural beauty.