MARDAN: A delegation of foreigners including diplomats from China, Thailand, Nepal and Indonesia visited archaeological sites in Takht Bhai here on Wednesday.

The minister of state and chairman of Prime Minister Task Force on Gandhara Tourism, Dr Ramesh Kumar Vankwani, led the delegation. The members of the delegation were also accompanied by relevant Pakistani officials and nationals.

Talking to journalists on the occasion, Ambassador of Thailand to Pakistan Chakkrid Krachaiwong said that he was excited to visit the Buddhist sites.

He said that being a follower of Buddhism, it was a good experience for him to visit the religious sites. He urged the followers of Buddhism to visit the religious and archaeological sites.

The members of the delegation visited different sites in Takht Bhai and several of them performed their religious rituals.

Talking to journalists, Dr Ramesh Kumar said that government was taking measures to promote archaeological tourism as it would present a positive image of Pakistan around the world.

He said that Gandhara relics in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were 2,000-years old. He said that most of the Buddhist sites were located in different parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He added that Gandhara civilisation and Takht Bhai sites were included in the Unesco heritage in 1980.

Published in Dawn, June 8th, 2023