PESHAWAR: Special assistant to the prime minister on tourism Zulfiqar Bukhari on Friday said the ‘Gandhara Trail’ initiative would be completed by 2022 in line with the vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan to explore the country’s hidden religious tourism treasures.

He said this during a visit to Takht Bhai Archaeological Complex in Mardan along with a delegation of Sri Lankan monks and officials, according to a statement issued here.

Mr Bukhari said the provincial government and tourism department had taken tangible steps to preserve heritage sites and promote religious tourism.

He said Sri Lankan monks and other delegates were visiting Gandhara archaeological sites due to the restoration of peace in the region and the government’s tourism-friendly efforts.

A 12-member delegation comprising special assistants to the Sri Lankan president and prime minister, monks and PhD scholars along with tourism and archaeology secretary Abid Majeed, director (archaeology) Dr Abdul Samad and others visited the Buddhist archaeological ruins in Takht Bhai.

The delegation earlier visited Buddhist sites in Taxila, Khanpur, Bhamala and other places and praised the government’s steps for their conservation and preservation.

The delegation was briefed on the history of Buddhist places and heritage sites in the province.

The monks and religious scholars performed worship at their sacred places.

The delegates said they were performing religious rituals in Pakistan to promote cultural ties between the two countries.

They said people-to-people contacts and the visits of religious scholars were important for the promotion of cultural relations between Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Earlier, Dr Abdul Samad briefed them about the historical and archaeological importance of Takht Bhai Monastery.

Published in Dawn, April 24th, 2021