Achi news desk-
The Saudi Foreign Minister in Pakistan leads a high-profile delegation. The guest of honor speaking in the press is a ray of hope for our country. He said, “The very proactive approach we have seen in our meetings is especially with the [Special] Investment [Facilitation] Council (SIFC) and a very strong business-focused approach to tackling challenges and opportunities and highlighting the work we can do together.
He further said: “I feel very confident that the results of this visit and the results of the work being done between the two respective teams with this attitude, with this attitude focused on results. [and] overcoming obstacles will bring significant benefits to both our countries [and] significantly speeds up the process of carrying out those investments that we are looking at together. I can say that there is a significant opportunity to increase the level of investment that is already on the table.”
This is a window of opportunity and there are so many avenues we can explore. One of these is religious tourism. I have often mentioned in these columns that this type of tourism has great potential.
Pakistan is a rich civilization. Its areas have been part of the world’s great civilizations. Gandhara civilization is one of the most amazing civilizations. If portrayed well under a favorable atmosphere it has the potential to attract the religious civilization.
Perhaps this is the first time we realize the importance of religious tourism. Credit goes to Prime Minister’s Task Force on Gandhara Tourism; the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI); and the Directorate of Archeology and Museums, Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
From Fargalla to Swat, the Buddhist tourism potential of the area can be gauged from the fact that a Buddha stupa was discovered during routine excavations from Islamabad. Religious tourism is an entire neglected industry. Taxila has been the center of Gandhara civilization. The traces of this civilization are scattered from Taxila to Swat. But all this has fallen into disrepute.
Raja Tridev Rai of East Pakistan decided to stay in Pakistan after the creation of Bangladesh and was given the status of a federal minister for life. He got a taste for these things and built a Buddhist temple in the diplomatic outpost of Islamabad.
How many of us know Badalpur Stupa, Jahanabad Buddha, Bhamla Stupa, Julian Stupa, Shangardar Stupa, Batkara, Rani Ghat, Sri Bahlul, Menkala Stupa, Jindal Tapmal, Jinanwali Dheri, Piplan Stupa, Sarsakh City, Sirkup City, Dharmarajka stupakia and where are they?
