Pakistan plans new Buddhist tourism facilities, exhibitions

eptember 29, 2026 (MLN): Pakistan is planning a dedicated facility for the preservation and display of Buddhist relics and is exploring measures to attract more Buddhist pilgrims and tourists from across Asia.

Federal Minister for National Heritage and Culture Aurangzeb Khan Khichi said a site on Murree Road was being planned for a facility where sacred Buddhist relics could be respectfully preserved and displayed.

The government is also considering transferring important Buddhist relics currently housed at the Peshawar Museum to the National Museum for display at a dedicated national institution.

Aurangzeb Khan Khichi said the move could improve access for Buddhist visitors and help promote Pakistan’s Gandhara heritage and religious tourism.

Pakistan also plans to open the Shah Allah Ditta Caves to visitors next month and organize Gandhara exhibitions in different Buddhist countries.

The government has sent a draft Memorandum of Understanding to Myanmar through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to establish cooperation across various areas.

Ambassador of Myanmar to Pakistan Wunna Han expressed interest in expanding Buddhist pilgrimage and religious tourism between the two countries.

He also proposed exploring charter flights for Buddhist pilgrims, noting that Pakistan and Myanmar currently do not have a direct commercial air connection.

The Ambassador said Gandhara heritage has significant religious and cultural importance for Buddhist communities in Myanmar and other Asian countries including Thailand, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam.

He highlighted Taxila, Peshawar, the Swat Valley and Takht-i-Bahi as major Gandhara heritage centres.

The government also expects a delegation of Buddhist monks to visit Pakistan in November, according to Coordinator to the Prime Minister on Gandhara Imran Shokat.

The planned initiatives could support Pakistan’s efforts to develop heritage and religious tourism while strengthening cultural and economic links with Buddhist-majority countries.

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