TAXILA: Chairman Senate Mohammad Sadiq Sanjrani on Monday said that tourism potential of Pakistan had not been explored properly and it was high time to develop infrastructure to places of historical and cultural importance to fetch foreign tourists especially from Buddhist countries.

He was addressing media persons after inaugurating orange festival organised at legendary Zaildar house Taxila.

He said Taxila valley and other parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, especially Swat, was blessed with sacred places of Buddhists and the government would provide resources to promote religious tourism and in this connection the private sector and community should join its hands to formulate strategy.

The famous Orange festival is being organised for the tenth consecutive year for the Islamabad based diplomatic community and their families, to bring them closer to each other in a friendly environment.

The event was also aimed at promoting and highlighting the rich cultural heritage, work of master craftsmen and black stone carvers, the world famous Khanpuri orange and exploration to footprints of Buddha at over two dozen sacred sites of Gandhara civilization.

Addressing as chief guest on the occasion Senate ChairmanMohammad Sadiq Sanjrani highlighted the importance of cultural diplomacy in promoting Pakistan’s historic and rich cultural heritage at the international level.

He emphasised the significance of the festival in showcasing the culture of Pakistan and Taxila in particular, describing Taxila as the hub of ancient civilisations and expressed his excitement to witness the exemplary display of the local culture, including the horse dancing, traditional stone lifting, folk music, and exhibition of the Gandhara art.

10th Orange Festival inaugurated

Addressing the participants, Zaildar Ahsan Shah the Orange Festival in Taxila is an annual event that highlights and showcases the local culture of Pakistan.

He said that there are over 30 sacred historical sites located in the area and efforts are being made to declare Taxila as ‘world heritage city”. He said that the orange festival provides a window to the diverse cultural heritage and showcase the real Pakistan to the world community.

Published in Dawn, February 28th, 2023