Prime Minister Imran Khan Sunday took to Twitter to share an image of some 2000-year old iconic Buddha of Swat to highlight Pakistan’s potential in Buddhist tourism.
“One of the largest rock engravings of Buddha, almost 2000 years old, located in Jahan Abad, Swat,” the prime minister said in a tweet while sharing the image of Buddha seated in meditative posture.
Carved on a granite cliff in the 7th century, the Buddha of Swat was restored to almost its original position with the Italian government’s assistance, after it was damaged by the terrorists.
One of the largest rock engravings of Buddha, almost 2000 years old, located in Jahan Abad, Swat. pic.twitter.com/FOfwojFkJC
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) October 17, 2021
The prime minister had long been striving to exploit the country’s immense potential in tourism, which he believed could even support the country to pay off the foreign debts.
“Switzerland is half the size of our northern areas and has no match with the natural beauty of our landscape, yet it earns $80 billion from tourism whereas our total export is of $25 billion,” the prime minister told a gathering in Mansehra recently.
Read more: PM Khan shares images of ancient Buddhist temple
In a meeting with Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, during his visit to the country in February this year, Imran Khan highlighted Buddhist heritage sites in Pakistan.
“Pakistan probably has one of the greatest Buddhist heritages in the world and we invite people from Sri Lanka to visit them,” Khan had said.
KP government committed to preserving historical sites
Earlier this year, former SAPM Zulfiqar Bukhari said the government is improving the infrastructure of religious tourist sites across Pakistan.
He talked to media persons after having an informal discussion with the delegation of Sri Lankan Buddhist monks at Takht-i-Bahi, in KP.
Read more: PM Imran Khan shows beautiful images of Skardu Valley to the world
Similarly, the SAPM said the government is developing infrastructure in cooperation with the World Bank under the government’s religious tourism policy.
He said as per the vision of PM Khan, the government is currently working on creating a Holy Buddhist Trail. The trail will include the most revered Buddhist heritage sites in Pakistan.
APP with additional input by GVS News Desk