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Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
Taxila, Harappa, Bhera declared 'heritage cities'
Listen to article The Punjab government has announced an ambitious plan to preserve and promote the province's rich historical legacy by declaring three cities — Taxila, Harappa, and Bhera — as official Heritage Cities. The initiative aims not only to highlight these locations on the international stage but also to stimulate local tourism, cultural preservation, and economic growth. An initial budget of Rs60 billion has been earmarked for the development and restoration of 60 key archaeological and historical sites across the province. According to Raja Jahangir Anwar, Secretary for Tourism and Archaeology, Taxila has been given special prominence and will be designated as an 'International Heritage City.' Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif hailed Taxila as the 'City of Civilisations,' acknowledging its profound historical significance, particularly its connections with the Gandhara civilisation and sacred Buddhist heritage. To oversee development in Taxila, a dedicated Taxila Heritage Authority has been established, complete with an independent master plan, budget, and administrative control. The first phase of the project includes the rehabilitation of roads, enhancement of tourism infrastructure, and renovation of museums and craft centres. The second phase will focus on the creation of an open-air museum, a Gandhara Art Village, and the conservation of other historically significant buildings to boost tourism appeal. Harappa, another ancient centre of early human civilisation, has also been included in the list of 60 priority sites, although no separate authority or master plan has been announced yet. The government plans to upgrade its archaeological sites, museum facilities, and excavation areas to meet international standards, with the goal of attracting greater numbers of foreign tourists. Regarding Bhera, the secretary said that while it is a sizable city with a population exceeding 350,000, the focus will be on restoring the old city, which is famed for its nine historical gates, ancient bazaars, Sufi shrines, wooden architecture, and narrow heritage-style streets. Although Bhera does not yet have an independent authority or comprehensive master plan, development work has already begun under the heritage city project. A PC-1 is currently under preparation to transform it into a full-fledged heritage zone in the near future.
The Standard
15-07-2025
- General
- The Standard
Promoting religious art in Hong Kong: boosting harmony and tourism
Gandhara Buddha under Greco-Roman influence and Buddha footprint, which shows the influence of Islamic art aniconism without showing an image.
Express Tribune
13-07-2025
- General
- Express Tribune
The silent stupas of Thareli
High in the hills in Sawaldher village of Mardan district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) lie the time-tested remains of the somewhat 2000-year-old and once-thriving, Thareli Buddhist archeological site, from the ancient Gandhara civilisation. It once served as an educational institution and spiritual complex of Buddhism for about 550 years during Kushan dynasty. While rich in history and cultural significance, Thareli today remains on the fringes of public awareness and government attention. With narrow access roads, minimal facilities, and limited promotion, the site's potential as a religious tourism destination remains untapped, despite its standing as the third-largest Buddhist site in Mardan district. Located about nineteen kilometres from Mardan city on a hilltop approximately 300 metres high, the site has preserved stupas, and chapels where sculptures of Buddha were placed for worship, as well as a residential area at high altitude in mountain. 'After Takht Bhai and Jamal Gahri Buddhist remains, Thareli is the third-largest historical site in Mardan district,' shares Dr Ghayur Shahab, a faculty member of the department of archeology at the University of Malakand and the then in-charge of Mardan Museum. 'It was constructed during the Kushan period, from 1st century BC to 5th century AD. After its construction, the site remained active for 550 years. The decline of Buddhism began when the state stopped supporting it. With the arrival of the Huns and later the Muslims, Buddhism came to an end in this region.' According to the directorate of archeology and museums, KP, the complex was first discovered in 18th century and then from 1964 to 1967, a Japanese archaeological mission began excavations of the site and uncovered the main stupa beside a spring, surrounded by several votive stupas, students' quarters, monks' cells, assembly halls and chapels. Constructed with diaper masonry, the main stupa featured niches that housed Buddhist sculptures. The site spanned over multiple terraced spurs with evidence of multistoried structures. 'This site was a religious seminary where Buddhism was taught, studied and practiced,' shares Dr Shahab. 'Antiquities excavated from the site include Buddhist panels revealing the life stories of Buddha, sculptures, stucco sculptures and coins. These are [now] showcased in the Peshawar and Lahore Museums.' Junaid Khan, a local resident of the area, said that like other historical sites in KP, Thareli Buddhist complex is suitable and relevant for religious tourism. 'However, unfortunately only tourists from nearby villages visit the site,' he adds. 'The Pakistan Tehreek Insaf (PTI) provincial government has so far failed to fulfill its promises regarding the promotion of religious tourism in the religion. A major obstacle in the promotion of the thousand-years-old historical complex is the road leading to the archeological site, which is narrow and dilapidated. In addition to the construction of a proper road and walking tracks, it is crucial that the government must focus on promoting the site through main stream and social media.' According to Khan, initially, the site was under the jurisdiction of the federal government. In 2010, it was handed over to the provincial directorate of archaeology, and in 2013, the KP government protected it under the Antiquities Act and carried out some conservation and restoration work. 'In 2023, the Peshawar High Court, in a verdict, banned crush plants, mining, and blasting within one kilometre of the site,' officials in the directorate revealed. 'For the promotion of religious tourism, we need to attract foreigners from Buddhist countries to visit these sites,' shares Bakhat Muhammad, deputy director of directorate of archeology and museums, KP. He added the Thareli archeological complex is important for religious tourism but because of security concerns, the local police do not allow foreigners to visit this monastic complex and the Jamal Garhi site. As a result, they only visit the Takht Bhai monastic complex which has a negative impact on tourism. 'The site spreads over 253 kanals in a mountainous area,' shares the deputy director. 'Currently, no entry fee is collected and the site is not officially open to visitors.' Regarding further excavation and development, Bakhat Muhammad said that a two-year project for eight historical sites, including Thareli complex has been approved, adding that under the project, excavation, conservation and development will be carried out before the site is opened for local and foreigner visitors with proper facilities. Thareli's crumbling chapels, centuries-old stupas, and scattered sculptures represent more than just historical artefacts — they are fragments of a pluralistic and intellectual past that once defined the region. Yet despite its profound archaeological and spiritual significance, the site lies in neglect, eclipsed by more accessible or popular monuments like Takht Bhai. With renewed efforts in excavation, conservation, and infrastructure, Thareli could emerge not only as a key node in the Gandharan heritage trail but also as a source of cultural diplomacy and economic opportunity through religious tourism. For that to happen, however, preservation must meet promotion — and history must be given a second life. Razzaq is a Peshawar-based radio and print journalist. He tweets @TheAbdurRazzaq All facts and information are the sole responsibility of the writer
Business Recorder
03-06-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Commerce minister meets senior Japanese priest
OSAKA, Japan: During his official visit to Expo 2025 Osaka, the Federal Minister for Commerce, Jam Kamal Khan, led a series of high-level engagements to promote Pakistan's trade, investment, tourism, and cultural diplomacy. During the visit, Federal Minister Jam Kamal Khan also held a significant meeting with the 79th Head Priest of Sh goin Monzeki, who also serves as Secretary-General of the Kyoto Buddhist Association. The meeting focused on fostering religious tourism, interfaith understanding, and deeper cultural ties between Pakistan and Japan. As part of the conversation, Pakistan's rich spiritual landscape and its ancient Buddhist heritage, including sites linked to the Gandhara civilization, were highlighted as meaningful opportunities for future pilgrimages and cultural exchange. The priest expressed deep interest and support. He pledged to visit Pakistan with a delegation and committed to encouraging other Buddhist centers across Japan to consider pilgrimage and cultural visits to Pakistan's Gandhara sites. Such dialogues reflect Pakistan's broader vision at Expo 2025 Osaka: to build bridges through shared history, mutual respect, and timeless traditions. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
18-02-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Urdu, Bangla varsity chairs urged
Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider Khan has stressed the need of setting up Urdu language chairs in Bangladeshi universities and Bangla chairs in Pakistan for better understanding among the countries. Speaking to a 10-member media delegation from Bangladesh that called on him, the governor expressed hope that new vistas of cooperation would open under the interim government in Bangladesh. The delegation invited Governor Saleem Haider to visit Bangladesh. The Bangladeshi journalists also visited the National College of Arts (NCA) and Lahore Museum. NCA Vice Chancellor Dr Murtaza Jafri discussed with the delegation cultural and artistic exchanges between the two countries. Lahore Museum Deputy Director Asim Rizwan briefed the journalists on the collections, particularly those representing the Gandhara and Indus Valley civilisations, Harappa and Mohenjo Daro. The visitors were taken on a tour of the Gandhara, Jain Temple, Contemporary Paintings, Prehistoric and Industrial, and the Muslim Art and Heritage galleries. They observed rare bronze artifacts from Harappa and Mohenjo Daro, weights and bullock carts from ancient settlements and seals from the Indus Valley civilisation. The delegation had earlier spent four days in Islamabad.
