Religious intolerance and violence against minorities may be on the rise in Pakistan, but authorities in the deeply conservative northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province are hoping for a tourism boost -- thanks to the area's rich Buddhist heritage. KP is increasingly being viewed as the heartland of militants who have killed thousands in recent years and it is also home to some of the most important sites of Mahayana Buddhism. Last year a group of around 20 Buddhist monks from South Korea made the journey to the monastery of Takht-i-Bahi, close to the tribal areas that are a haven for militants.
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Comments (10) Closed
Rizwan Khan
Mar 13, 2013 03:21pm
They can "hope" all they want. If security is not improved, NOBODY will visit. Ever! That is a fact that the Government of Pakistan does not understand. Every few days one hears about premier cricket league, premier football league, premier kabaddi league etc etc. Nothing will be successful if you cant ensure security.
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Iyaz khan
Mar 13, 2013 03:21pm
As a Pakistani I feel buddhism should not be promoted in our country. I request the govt not to go with such acts and demolish these buildings soon.
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babu
Mar 13, 2013 06:21pm
OMG !! , so much to offer,PLEASE CAPITALIZE AND SEE THE BUSINESS POTENTIAL
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Yousaf
Mar 13, 2013 08:57pm
It is like asking the fish to go to the shark.
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SBB
Mar 13, 2013 11:58pm
I'd certainly love to visit the Buddhist monuments in KP if it was safe for me to do so.
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anand k singh
Mar 14, 2013 02:00am
Given the levels of religious intolerance in Pakistan, it may just remain a ' hope'.
I say this because the Govt in Pak appears to be doing nothing to reverse a situation going from bad to worse.
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Aquil
Mar 14, 2013 03:12am
what guaranty tourist will not kidnap ?
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Ali S
Mar 14, 2013 10:45am
First let's make sure that we can guarantee that the tourists will go back home in one piece, until then anything initiative like this is futile
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Salman Cheema
Mar 14, 2013 09:47am
If you build it, they will come.
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abc
Mar 14, 2013 02:53pm
Totally agree with you on this. If a small nation, like Maldives can restrict non-islamic activities and propogandas in their nation, which is so dependend on tourism, Pakistan should follow its own constitution and stop being pseudo secular.
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