By Faiza Tehseen ISLAMABAD, May 31 (INP-WealthPK): The archaeological sites in Pakistan could attract foreign tourists in droves to boost the country’s revenue and generate employment opportunities, experts told WealthPK. They said that the promotion of cultural and religious tourism could play a vital role in strengthening the national economy as the country had heritage and archaeological sites in abundance that were considered sacred by the followers of different religions, living in various countries. Pakistan is endowed with the deep-rooted archaeological fragments from Indus to Gandhara civilisations. Taxila, the capital of Gandhara civilisation and a great seat of learning in the old times, is an attractive archaeological site for local and foreign tourists, historians, archaeologists and students. Iqbal Khan, the deputy director of Taxila Museum, said that Taxila was not only one of the prosperous capitals of its time but also a centre of spiritualism and different learning disciplines. “Dhrmarajika and Jaulian monasteries were the famous centres of religion and knowledge. A monastery was a symbol of knowledge in those days. Law, spiritualism, medicine, astronomy, war technology, science and literature were the common disciplines being taught here until the destruction of the city in 5^th century CE,” he said. Mr. Khan said that one of the oldest universities in the world was established in Taxila. Kautilya Chanakya, the author of the first book on statecrafts who lived in the second century BCE, and Panini, the architect of the Sanskrit grammar who lived in the fourth century BCE in Chota Lahor in Swabi, both were associated with the University of Takshashila (Taxila). Taxila was declared protected antiquity under the Antiquities Act, 1975 of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. The law was passed to manage, protect and curate all the historical and archaeological sites in the country. Aftabur Rahman, the managing director of the Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC), said that archaeological and heritage sites were an important segment of the tourism industry across the globe. “Pakistan can earn handsomely by attracting foreign tourists to its archaeological sites like many other countries,” he added. To a question about the coordination among the different agencies responsible for the preservation of heritage in the country, he said that a gap of mutual understanding existed between PTDC and other entities. “The gap must be bridged. A policy is badly needed to frame the code of conduct for visitors. Comfort zones or rest areas for visitors must be established a little away from the sites. It will help to save the sites from wrong intrusion and trash,” he added. According to international standards, use of masks, showcasing, distance tapes or visitor platforms are must at archaeological sites to save the historical items from hand touch or breath. The local communities living around the archaeological sites can also earn their livelihoods through the promotion of tourism. Enhancing awareness among them of the economic benefits of tourism and the importance of archaeological sites will convince them to take steps for the preservation of the sites and link their livelihood with the influx of tourists. They can be trained as tourist guides and custodians to stop illegal excavation of the sites and antique trafficking. The experts said that both PTDC and other cultural heritage agencies should join hands to devise a plan for the preservation of the archaeological sites and the promotion of tourism in the country to boost foreign exchange. The heritage agencies should take concrete steps for the promotion of the archaeological sites at both national and international levels. Besides publishing brochures and booklets about the history, location and importance of the archaeological sites, a plan should be devised to provide accommodation and other facilities to students, researchers, archaeologists and foreign tourists near these sites at a safe distance. Religious leaders and monks from several countries visit Taxila and other Buddhist sites in the country each year. The number of these tourists can be increased significantly by promoting religious tourism. According to the travel records of the seventh century Chinese pilgrim Hsuan Tsang and Fa-Hien, which they wrote during their travels from China to Svatsu (Swat valley), they took the gift of Buddhism with them when they were going back to their country. The experts told WealthPk that both Pakistan and China should set up research centres and other institutes around Taxila to preserve their joint heritage and promote the site besides providing opportunities of learning for the local and foreign students.