MINGORA, Jun 14 (APP): Minister of State, Chairman for Prime Minister Task Force on Gandhara Tourism, Dr Ramesh Kumar Vankwani on Wednesday called for promoting religious tourism in Swat and other areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to promote inter-faith harmony and generate revenue.
During his two-day visit to Buddhist Archaeological sites, located in Swat Valley in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa along with the Ambassador and diplomat of Germany and Nepal, he said that the people of Swat were very hospitable and wanted
promotion of tourism and development in the area.
He said that there were abundant Buddhist heritage sites in Swat and other parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and if preserved and developed properly these could attract foreign tourists and help generate huge revenue.
He said that these sites of Buddha in Swat and other areas of KP were believed as holy places by devotees of Buddha religion and they wanted to visit these places.
He said that Swat is known as mini Switzerland due to its natural beauty and foreign tourists wanted to come and invest in the area, adding that there was a great need of improving the existing tourism policy to facilitate the foreign tourists.
On the occasion, Head of Communication and Cultural Affairs, German Embassy Dorota Berezicki, expressed her
happiness and said that Swat was a peaceful place and there was no security risk for local or foreign tourists.
She said the people of Swat were very hospitable and they pay great respect to their guests, adding that foreign tourists should witness the mesmerizing beauty of Swat Valley, especially the Buddha heritage.
Ambassador of Nepal Tapas Adhikari said that people know little about the importance of this land, adding that proper media projection and promotion of religious tourism could build a strong image of the country besides promoting tourism.
He said that Swat Valley had a lot of potential for religious tourism and that the government of Pakistan should provide facilities to foreigners, especially devotees of the Buddha religion.
Earlier, Incharge Sub Regional Office Malakand Nawazuddin briefed the delegation about the heritage sites of Bazira, Shigardar Stupa, Ghelegay Buddhist monument, museum and other close vicinity sites.
During the two-day stay, the delegation would also visit Swat Museum Butkara Stupa 1 and 2, Saidu Stupa and Malam Jabba Hill station.