MD PTDC Highlights the Potential of Buddhist Heritage Tourism in 2nd International Conference and Art Exhibition on Buddhist Heritage

Islamabad: The 2nd International Conference and Art Exhibition on Buddhist Heritage, was held at Taxila Institute of Asian Civilizations, Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad from 2nd to 3rd March, where Aftab-ur-Rehman Rana, Managing Director of PTDC and President of STFP, participated as a guest speaker at the closing session.
Mr. Rana emphasized Pakistan’s significance as the birthplace of Mahayana Buddhism and the home to many renowned Buddhist philosophers and gurus. He highlighted Pakistan’s vast Buddhist heritage, urging stakeholders to collaborate in promoting Buddhist religious heritage tourism.
He said that Pakistan is a land of great Buddhist heritage and there are millions of Buddhists who can be attracted to visit Pakistan and to engage all the stakeholders to provide an ideal environment for the promotion of Buddhist religious heritage tourism in Pakistan.
He stressed on 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.
He also highlighted the need to promote regional tourism with the neighboring countries that share Buddhist heritage.
The event jointly organized by Taxila Institute of Asian Civilizations, Quaid e Azam University Islamabad, Silk Road Centre, KP Archaeology & Museum Department , Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation and other national and international partners featured over 50 research papers covering topics such as Buddhist heritage conservation, education, peace, interfaith harmony and collaborative research partners.