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PESHAWAR, Jan 29 (APP):Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Muhammad Sohail Khan Afridi has taken historic and forward-looking steps during the first 100 days of his government to protect, restore, and promote the province’s rich cultural heritage.
To preserve the shared cultural legacy of the subcontinent, the provincial government has approved Rs. 200 million for the restoration of the ancestral homes of legendary artists Dilip Kumar and Raj Kapoor.
In a major capacity-building initiative, 40 professionals have received specialized training in heritage conservation through collaboration with Indiana University, strengthening institutional expertise in archaeology and cultural preservation.
The government has also invested Rs. 220 million in illumination and night tourism at the UNESCO-recognized Buddhist heritage site of Takht-i-Bahi, aimed at enhancing visitor experience and promoting religious tourism. Additionally, Rs. 200 million has been allocated for the development of the Derajat Museum in Dera Ismail Khan, while the long-standing archaeological cooperation mission between Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Italy, spanning over seven decades, continues.
Further strengthening conservation efforts, 50 heritage professionals have been trained through the British Heritage Foundation to enhance local expertise in heritage management.
The province has recently witnessed the arrival of more than 15,000 international tourists, reflecting growing global confidence in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s peace, culture, and natural beauty.
To promote the province globally, a comprehensive international outreach campaign has been launched through podcasts, documentaries, and digital media platforms. Under the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Integrated Tourism Enhancement (KITE) Project, over 200 informational signboards have been installed across the province to guide tourists to historical and cultural sites. The KITE Project has also been showcased at the World Bank headquarters in the United States as a best-practice tourism initiative.
Moreover, Rs. 20 million has been utilized for the restoration of the central temple at Kafir Kot, while Rs. 50 million has been allocated for the rehabilitation of Peshawar’s historic Mohafiz Khana.
These initiatives underline the provincial government’s strong commitment to safeguarding Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s cultural heritage and positioning the province as a prominent global destination for heritage and tourism.