ISLAMABAD: Managing Director of Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) Aftabur Rehman Rana on Tuesday said that Pakistan was a land of great Buddhist heritage which could attract millions of Buddhists from across the world.

Speaking at a two-day International Conference and Art Exhibition on Buddhist Heritage, held at Taxila Institute of Asian Civilizations, Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU), he said that there is a need to engage all the stakeholders to provide an ideal environment for promoting Buddhist religious heritage tourism in Pakistan.

Mr Rana emphasized Pakistan’s significance as the birthplace of Mahayana Buddhism and

the home to many renowned Buddhist philosophers and gurus, says a press release issued here on Tuesday.

Th eMD highlighted Pakistan’s vast Buddhist heritage, urging stakeholders to collaborate in promoting Buddhist religious heritage tourism.

He stressed the need to especially involve local communities living in the vicinities of heritage sites through the sustainable heritage tourism in the protection and providing custodianship of the heritage sites as well as improving the economic well-being of locals through tourism.

Mr Rana also highlighted the need to promote regional tourism with the neighboring countries that share Buddhist heritage.

The event jointly organised by Taxila Institute of Asian Civilisations, QAU, Silk Road Centre, KP Archaeology & Museum Department, Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation and other national and international partners. Over 50 research papers covering topics such as Buddhist heritage conservation, education, peace, interfaith harmony and collaborative research partners were presented.

Published in Dawn, March 6th, 2024