PESHAWAR: Federal Minister for Planning and Development Asad Umar on Monday visited Takht-Bahi Buddhist monastery in Mardan district, known as a world heritage site, and lauded the efforts of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government for its conservation and preservation.
Asad Umar visited the monastery and took a keen interest in it. He said Takht-i-Bahi was a must-visit site for those interested in history, archeology, and heritage.
He appreciated the steps taken by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Directorate of Archeology and Museums to preserve the ancient ruins and rich cultural heritage of Pakistan.
Earlier, he was briefed about Takht-i-Bahi monastery and the adjoining ancient site of Sahr-e- Behlool besides preservation works by Director Archeology and Museums Abdul Samad.
Pakistan is home to some of the most ancient heritage sites in the world. Six of them, featured as designated UNESCO sites, are the archaeological ruins of Mohenjo-Daro, the monuments at Makli, the ancient ruins of Taxila, Fort Rohtas, the Buddhist ruins of Takht-i-Bahi and city remain at Sahr-i-Bahlol and the fort and Shalamar gardens in Lahore.
On July 12, Prime Minister Imran Khan had described mausoleums across the country as historical heritage, and said the rehabilitation and preservation of such places was very important for the promotion of religious tourism.
Presiding over a meeting held about the comprehensive development and management project of the mausoleum of Hazrat Data Ganj Bukhsh (RA) and the preservation, rehabilitation and beautification of the Lahore’s historic Badshahi Mosque and other mausoleums in Punjab, the prime minister had called for the formation of a comprehensive plan for the proper use of state lands around the mausoleums so that those could be utilised for hospitals and educational institutions.