Faiza Tehseen

Pakistan can attract millions of Buddhism followers from across the globe to the ancient Buddhist remains in the country by establishing a Gandhara Air Corridor, said Chairman of Prime Minister’s Task Force on Gandhara Tourism, Dr Ramesh Kumar Vankwani, while talking to WealthPK. He said that the establishment of the Gandhara Corridor for the Buddhist monks and tourists would connect all the airports of Buddhist-majority countries to the Islamabad International Airport. “Very soon, the task force will present a tentative plan to the officials concerned to turn this dream into a reality.” He also emphasised that the government of Pakistan should also introduce one-window visa issuance for the visitors to the mesmerising Buddhist remains. Ramesh Kumar said the promotion of ancient Gandhara rock art could be another aspect of attracting foreign tourists. 

According to him, different Gandhara remains existed in different areas of Pakistan, including 19 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, five in Sindh, one in Balochistan, 10 in Punjab, and four in Gilgit-Baltistan. Ramesh Kumar pointed out the “sacred silence” of 1,500 Gondrani Buddhist caves dug out by the monks in about the 7th century AD, out of which 500 were still intact. “This place, which is also called the Shehr-i-Roghan in the local language, is located in the Bela district of Balochistan.” He also said that the area where now Islamabad was located was also part of the Gandhara civilisation.  He also talked about his recent visit to the sacred Manthal Buddha rock, a relief sculpture of Buddha on a large granite stalwart. “It is one of the important Buddha relics in the country, nestling in the Himalayan altitudes in Manthal village of Skardu.”

Ramesh Kumar recalled the times when Skardu was the busiest route for many activities, including a staying place for Buddhist monks, who travelled to the Mauryan lands to preach Buddhism in the time of Ashok-i-Azam. He said students from China and Japan also have passed through the same place to reach the great University of Takshashila, and educational institutes in Takht-i-Bahi, Mardan. The task force chairman said the establishment of Gandhara Corridor would strengthen the national economy, promote the soft image of Pakistan, and alleviate the poverty of local communities. He said a special tourist map concerning the Buddhist monuments should also be developed. He also stressed that all the relevant departments at both federal and provincial levels should take this matter as a priority.

Credit: INP-WealthPk