TAKHT BHAI, Pakistan: The government of northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) has devised a multi-pronged strategy to revive and refurbish the vibrant tourism sector in the province to preserve the sacred Buddhist sites and other historic monuments of the British era.
The initiative is aimed at attracting national and international tourists and multiply businesses to the province’s tribal areas, a senior official said.
Nisar Muhammad, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) for KP’s minister for tourism, archaeology, sports, culture, and youth affairs, told Arab News that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government estimates the presence of more than 1,000 sites of historical and religious importance, with 132 sites situated in the newly-merged Khyber tribal district alone.
“In a bid to promote religious tourism in KP and war-ravaged erstwhile FATA region, there are many Buddhist sacred places which the followers of the religion want to visit. We have written letters to embassies of seven countries including China, Japan, and Korea about the KP government’s plans to preserve the Buddhist sites to promote religious tourism here,” he said.
Muhammad Zaman, a resident of Takht Bhai, said hundreds of people visit the Buddhist sites on a weekly basis, adding that the government should take measures to rebuild the roads and structures in the larger interest of the country and minorities.
Takht Bhai — part of the World Heritage List — is one of the world’s most renowned and well-structured Buddhist monasteries. It is located almost 500 feet atop a small mountain, with a range of up to two kilometers, toward the east of Takht Bhai bazaar in the KP province.
Known as the heart of the Gandhara civilization, it attracts tourists, historians, and archaeologists from across the country but its preservation would attract Buddhists from across the world, Zaman said.
Founded in the early first century, the Takht Bhai Buddhist monastic complex (Throne of Origins) has survived successive invasions and is well preserved due to its location on top of the high hill.
A number of locals say that the Buddhist complex and the surrounding village are widely believed to be named after two wells which were found on top of the hill near the complex.
Takht — which basically means throne and bhai which means water in Persian — was named after the spring located on the left side of the Buddhist site, Sher Nawaz, another local, added.
Muhammad said that the top administrators in every district of the province have been instructed to identify historical places in their respective areas which would help pave way for a fresh survey of the places, adding that 20 more tourist spots would be identified in the next four years.
Nawaz Uddin, a research officer at the KP archaeology department, said that the provincial government is striving to initiate some work on preserving the historical sites but full-fledged work would begin once the budget for the purpose is allocated in the tribal districts.
“KP has over 6,000 historical sites, with some of them have sacred places of ancient religions but we have no scientific survey of the erstwhile FATA region. Only one district of tribal areas known as Khyber tribal district has 132 sites,” he added.
Professor Jamil Yousafzai, an archaeologist in KP, stressed that the preservation of historical sites — primarily those holding religious importance — would bolster the image of the country and lure investments as well.
“The KP government has taken a brilliant step to preserve the sites of Buddhism and other minorities. This depicts that our soil is rich and has the credit of being a cradle of world religion,” he observed.
The areas of Swat, Bunner, Swabi, Takht Bhai, Khyber tribal district, and other parts of the province and tribal regions are rich in historical sites.
Mehrab Afridi, a local from the Khyber tribal district, recalled how the decade-old wave of insurgency severely impacted the tourism sector of the province, driving tourists away from visiting the area.
“As militancy has now been banished in the wake of successive military operations, the rich tourism sector is again on a take-off position. People start visiting Buddhist-period archaeological sites in Swat, Landi Kotal, Jamrud in Khyber tribal district and other areas, which have multiplied businesses,” Afridi said.
He said that the main Stupa in Landi Kotal of the Khyber tribal district is being frequented by visitors on a daily basis. However, the sites need restoration work which would help develop the war-torn region.
Atif Khan, KP minister for tourism, archaeology, sports and culture — during his maiden visit to the newly-merged tribal district of Khyber — had pledged that a Safari train till Torkham border would be launched again which would generate employment opportunities for the locals, too.
He told media that KP has more than 1,000 sacred Buddhist sites of which 100 of them are located in the Khyber tribal district.
Muhammad said that the KP government has formally requested the central government to help the province launch the Safari train from Peshawar all the way to the Torkham border with Afghanistan.
Nawaz Uddin said preserving archaeological and historical sites should not be looked at from a financial point of view. Rather, it is an exercise to work toward preserving the country’s national heritage which depicts the rich history of Pakistan.
“We can attract foreign tourists as the newly-merged districts have a large number of sacred sites of Buddhism. The area can be turned into a religious tourism spot,” he added.
Pakistan to begin restoration work of sacred Buddhist sites, British-era monuments in KP
Pakistan to begin restoration work of sacred Buddhist sites, British-era monuments in KP
- Measures are part of province’s initiative to revive vibrant tourism sector
- Is home to more than 1,000 sites of historic and religious significance
Pakistan parliamentary delegation, MWL chief discuss promoting girls’ education, combating Islamophobia
- Both sides also discuss promoting unity within Muslim countries, projecting “true” image of Islam globally
- Mohammad bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa praises Pakistan for rendering “valuable services” for Muslim unity
ISLAMABAD: A Pakistani parliamentary delegation led by National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq met Muslim World League (MWL) Secretary-General Mohammad bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa recently to discuss promoting girls’ education, combating Islamophobia and enhancing unity within the ranks of Muslim countries, state-run media reported.
The MWL is an international non-government organization headquartered in Makkah, with its members hailing from all Islamic countries and sects. The organization says it aims to provide humanitarian aid, extend bridges of dialogue and cooperation with all, engage in positive openness to all cultures and civilizations, follow the path of centrism and moderation to realize the message of Islam and ward off movements calling for extremism, violence and exclusion.
Sadiq met Al-Issa with the parliamentary delegation in Makkah on Saturday during which both sides held detailed discussions on promoting unity within the Muslim Ummah and matters of mutual interest, the state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) reported on Sunday.
“Ayaz Sadiq appreciated the role of the Muslim World League in creating unity among Muslim countries, combating Islamophobia, promoting education for girls within Muslim societies and projecting the true image of Islam at the global level,” the report said.
The state-run media said Al-Issa praised Pakistan’s efforts in promoting unity and solidarity among the Muslim world. He described Pakistan as a pivotal country in the Islamic world that has consistently rendered valuable services for the cause of Muslim unity, APP said.
Pakistan and the MWL co-hosted a two-day summit focusing on promoting girls’ education in Muslim countries in January this year. Over 150 representatives from 47 countries, including education experts, religious scholars, diplomats and politicians, attended the summit.
In 2022, Pakistan awarded Al-Issa the “Crescent of Excellence,” one of the highest civil honors in the country, recognizing his efforts in spreading the message of peace and combating growing Islamophobia.
Indian pilgrims at Sikh holy site in Pakistan urge peace as bilateral tensions rise
- Ties have plunged since New Delhi accused Islamabad of being behind latest attack in Indian-administered Kashmir
- Visiting Sikh pilgrims from India call on Islamabad and New Delhi to sit together and resolve bilateral tensions
KARTARPUR, PAKISTAN: Sikh pilgrims from India visiting the Kartarpur Darbar Sahib shrine in Pakistan called for peace recently as tensions between the two nations escalated.
Tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbors flared after a deadly militant attack on April 22 that killed at least 26 people, including tourists. India says two of the three militants involved were from Pakistan. Islamabad has denied any involvement.
After the attack, New Delhi suspended the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan unilaterally, recalled defense staff, announced the closure of the main land Attari-Wagah border crossing with Pakistan, downgraded diplomatic ties, and withdrew special visas for Pakistani nationals. In response, Islamabad ordered the expulsion of Indian diplomats and military advisers, canceling the visas for Indian nationals with the exception of Sikh pilgrims.
“Small fights and disputes happen in every home. India and Pakistan are our homes,” Lovejeet Singh, a Sikh pilgrim from India’s Punjab state, said on Saturday. He stressed the need for peace and unity between the two states.
“Let’s solve these problems together; nothing is more important than humanity. These are small issues, let’s sit together and find solutions.”
The Kartarpur Corridor, a rare visa-free crossing point opened in 2019, has allowed Indian devotees to visit one of Sikhism’s holiest shrines despite strained political relations between New Delhi and Islamabad.
According to international news agency AFP, troops from Pakistan and India exchanged fire in disputed Kashmir for the fourth night in a row on Sunday.
Kashmir has been disputed between India and Pakistan since independence from British rule in 1947. Both countries control parts of it but claim it in full and have fought two wars over the Himalayan territory.
Manjit Singh, another Sikh pilgrim from India, also called for ignoring tensions and moving toward peace.
“The tension should be completely removed and the brotherhood (between India and Pakistan) should flourish,” he said.
Pakistan finmin vows to push ahead with structural reforms at Harvard University conference
- Muhammad Aurangzeb attends Pakistan Conference 2025 at Harvard University, says state media
- Flags growth opportunities in Pakistan’s mineral resources, IT sector and green energy initiatives
ISLAMABAD: Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb vowed to push ahead with structural reforms in Pakistan’s energy, taxation, governance, and other sectors to ensure sustainable economic growth at a Harvard University conference, state-run media reported on Monday.
Pakistan secured a $7 billion financial bailout program from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in September last year, as it moved to consolidate its economy after averting a default in 2023. Islamabad has since undertaken several reforms to reduce public debt, maintain low inflation, improve the energy sector’s viability, and accelerate growth.
Aurangzeb attended the Pakistan Conference at Harvard University, which, according to its website, is the “largest student-led gathering on Pakistan in the United States,” on Sunday. The conference is hosted by university students with the support of research centers. It convenes policymakers, academics, business leaders, and civil society experts to engage in critical discussions on Pakistan’s economic trajectory, governance, and global positioning.
“Emphasizing that ‘stability is not an end but a means to an end,’ the finance minister outlined the government’s strategy, including maintaining fiscal discipline, controlling inflation, and pushing ahead with deep structural reforms in energy, taxation, governance, and the management of state-owned enterprises,” state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) reported.
The finance minister highlighted the government’s key economic achievements, which included a reduction in inflation to 0.7 percent year-on-year in March, the lowest in 60 years, an increase in Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves, a three percent currency appreciation, and a current account surplus exceeding $1 billion in March 2025, APP said.
Aurangzeb also flagged major growth opportunities in Pakistan’s rich mineral resources, expanding information technology sector, green energy initiatives, and the country’s youthful entrepreneurial population, it added.
“Pakistan’s future will be shaped by bold, necessary choices,” the finance minister was quoted as saying by APP. “By investing in our people, modernizing our economy, and staying committed to reform, Pakistan will emerge stronger, greener, and more competitive.”
The finance minister arrived in Washington earlier this month to attend the IMF-World Bank Spring Meetings 2025. During his visit to the American capital, he met his counterparts from other countries, including senior officials of the IMF and the World Bank. Aurangzeb took part in panel discussions to highlight Pakistan’s economic achievements and spoke to international media outlets as well.
Two killed, one injured by IED blast in southwestern Pakistan
- Vehicle carrying three people targeted with an IED blast in coastal town of Pasni, says official
- Two earlier IED explosions in southwestern Balochistan less than a week ago killed 6 people
QUETTA: A blast triggered by an improvised explosive device (IED) killed two people and injured one in a coastal town in southwestern Pakistan on Sunday, a local administration official said amid Islamabad’s struggle to contain surging militancy in the region.
The roadside blast took place in Pasni, a small coastal town located around 142 kilometers from Pakistan’s port city of Gwadar in the southwestern Balochistan province.
Pasni Assistant Commissioner Moheem Khan Gichki said a vehicle carrying three men was targeted with a remote-controlled IED blast at the city’s Miskan Chowk area.
“Two local residents of Pasni were killed in the attack and one was injured, who was later shifted to Gwadar for better medical care,” Gichki told Arab News.
No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, but suspicion is likely to fall on ethnic Baloch separatists, especially the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), who often target law enforcers, locals, and tribal elders they believe are backed by the Pakistani state.
Last month, the BLA hijacked a train with hundreds of passengers aboard near Balochistan’s Bolan Pass, which resulted in the deaths of 23 soldiers, three railway employees and five passengers. At least 33 insurgents were also killed.
Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest but least developed province by almost all social and economic indicators, has been the site of a decades-long, low-scale insurgency launched by ethnic Baloch separatist groups. These militant groups accuse the federal government and Pakistan’s military of exploiting the province’s natural resources and denying the local population a share in their wealth.
Islamabad denies the allegations and claims the central government is allocating a large portion of development funds to fund health, education and infrastructure projects in the province.
Sunday’s attack was the third IED blast that had taken place in Balochistan in less than a week. Three soldiers of the Bomb Disposal Wing of the paramilitary Frontier Corps Balochistan were killed and four were injured in an IED blast on April 25.
Three people, including two women, were killed after a roadside IED blast targeted a private vehicle in the province’s Kalat district on April 24.
London police arrest man for pelting stones at Pakistan high commission, official says
- The London police have not revealed the identity of the suspect, but scores of Indians gathered outside the Pakistani high commission to protest Pahalgam attack
- New Delhi accused Pakistan of orchestrating the attack that killed 26 tourists, Islamabad denies involvement and says it is ready to take part in a credible probe
ISLAMABAD: Police have arrested a man for pelting stones and throwing “saffron-colored paint” at the Pakistan high commission in London, the top Pakistani diplomat in the United Kingdom (UK) said on Sunday, amid heightened tensions between Pakistan and India.
The London police have not revealed the identity of the suspect, but scores of Indian nationals last week gathered outside the Pakistani high commission in London to protest over an April 22 attack in Indian-administered Kashmir that killed 26 tourists.
New Delhi accused Pakistan of orchestrating the attack in the Pahalgam resort town. Islamabad has denied involvement and says it is ready to take part in a credible and transparent investigation into the attack.
“This morning [Apr. 27], at around 4-4:30am, a man came here and pelted stones [at the Pakistani high commission]. These are white stones, which are quite big and are not found here. He brought it from somewhere else. He had a bag and he [threw] this saffron-colored paint, this is like a paint, which you can see, this hit our logo and wall, and several [window] glasses were broken,” Pakistan’s High Commissioner Mohammad Faisal said.
“Police came and arrested that man. Now that man is in police custody, they are not telling us his nationality and identification details.”
In India, saffron is considered a sacred color, primarily associated with Hinduism, and is prominently featured in the national flag, where it represents strength and courage. A number of protesters, who gathered outside the Pakistan high commission, were seen wearing saffron-colored clothes.
On Sunday, Pakistan’s information minister, Attaullah Tarar, also accused Indian authorities of encouraging Indian nationals to “attack” Pakistan’s missions abroad, which he said was “unfortunate.” New Delhi did not immediately responded to Tarar’s statement.
High Commissioner Faisal said they had taken up the matter with Britain’s Foreign Office.
“This is a very big cause of concern for us as our security is at stake because, you know, our officials live on this street a little far from here,” he said.
“We will urge the British government to take action on this and punish the perpetrator behind this.”
Pakistan and India have fought multiple wars, including two on Kashmir, since their independence from British rule in 1947. Both neighbors rule part of the Himalayan territory but claim it in full.
New Delhi accuses Pakistan of supporting armed separatist militants in the Kashmir. Islamabad denies the allegations and says it supports the Kashmiri people diplomatically and politically.
The Pahalgam attack marks a dramatic shift in separatist assaults in Indian-administered Kashmir, which typically target Indian security forces.
In 2019, a suicide attack killed 41 Indian troops in Kashmir and triggered Indian air strikes inside Pakistan, bringing the countries to the brink of all-out war.
