Call to promote scenic and religious tourism in KP

PESHAWAR: A one-day conference was arranged here on Thursday where the speaker stressed the need for promotion of scenic as well as religious tourism in the province.

The event was organized by the Department of Archeology, University of Peshawar, Tourism and Hotel Management and Directorate of Archaeology and Museums to mark World Tourism Day.

Advisor to Chief Minister for Information and Public Relations Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif was the chief guest.He called upon participants to be responsive, not reactionary, to the situations and conditions of tourism potential in the province.

The adviser stated that nations and people are known for preserving relics and historical sites. But the case is different here. Peshawar is known as the oldest living city of the region, he explained.

But portions of the historic the City Wall [in Peshawar] have been demolished and commercial buildings erected which is to erase the golden past of the city”, he lamented.

Barrister Saif said that peace wouldn’t come through only wishes and people would need to play an active and effective role for restoration of durable peace. He pointed out that due to some recent incidents, the government is faced with challenges.

Acting Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Muhammad Naeem Qazi called upon the government to promote religious tourism. He asked tourism consultants to promote scenic valleys of Swat, Dir and Chitral. He welcomed the diploma and certificate courses initiated by the Department of Archaeology in Tourism and Hotel Management.Prof Dr Zakir Ullah Jan said that this year theme is to promote the power of travel to create open minds and foster dialogue. He said: “We are here to leave a message of peace and not conflict.”