Peshawar: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has announced a development project for Buddhist sites in Mardan, a news source reported. This project will preserve and promote the ancient relics in Jamal Garhi, Takht Bahi, and Shehbaz Garhi.
The announcement came from Senior Minister for Culture, Tourism, and Youth Affairs Atif Khan. During his visit to the said Buddhist sites, the Minister said that KP government will develop these sites into international tourism destinations. He proposed plans to build chairlift and cafeteria facilities at the sites to facilitate tourists.
Plans to reopen a millennia old passage leading to the ruins from Seri-Bahlol village have also been announced. An art gallery will also be set up at the location.
The Minister stated that the people of China, Japan, and Korea are quite interested in Pakistan’s archaeological sites. He expressed hope in the federal government that it will take measures to facilitate travellers from these countries interested in visiting the local Buddhist holy places.
Collaboration is underway with international communities to preserve these Buddhist sites in the country, and make them tourism-friendly.
