TAXILA, April 25: Participants of Gandhara Week have urged the Pakistan government to promote the country’s cultural, historical and religious potential to develop its tourism sector.

Talking to this reporter here on Tuesday, the heads of delegates from different countries said improper publicity and lack of infrastructure at tourist destinations were hindering the growth of the tourism industry in Pakistan.

They said concerted efforts both at public and private level were needed to exploit the true potential of this sector.

About the Gandhara Week celebrations, the delegates said such events would promote religious tourism besides projecting the soft image of Pakistan across the world.

Japan Travel Service President Kenka Shiga said a majority of Buddhist people living in Japan did not know about the rich Buddhist sites in Pakistan as no information about these was available in Japanese language.

Chief Monk of Singapore Ven Sarada Maha Thero appreciated the efforts of Pakistan for preserving Buddhist places of worship.

He said he was very much impressed after seeing this ancient site, as Taxila was used to be a seat of learning and the capital of Gandhara civilization.—Correspondent