T HE Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC)is trying to seek help of the Thailand government for restoration and maintenance of Ghandhara Archaeological sights. This is a healthy and vigorous sign for promotion of tourism.
Pakistan is the custodian of Ghandhara Buddhist civilisation. There are numerous holy places of Buddhist civilisation in Pakistan at Takhat-i-Bahi, Taxila, Mingora and Swat.
The Swat Valley has many Buddhist carvings and stupas, while Jehanabad contains a seated Buddha statue. These statues were deliberately targeted and demolished by the Taliban, especially in Swat valley.
They destroyed the sof t image of Pakistan too by resorting to extremism.
Our tourism industry has been declining since the start of the war on terror in 2001.
Af ter the restoration of law and order, the tourist flow is once again showing a remarkable increase over the past two years. If the country becomes more peaceful, more visitors will be visiting our country.
The significance of Buddhist civilisation may bring more Thais to Pakistan to visit Buddhist sites.
