THE heritage trail project in central Punjab, inaugurated by Prime Minister Imran Khan on Sunday in Jhelum district, presents yet another opportunity for the rehabilitation and preservation of our rich history. The project relates to seven sites starting from Al Bairuni Point at Nandana Fort where Al Bairuni, a scholar of many disciplines, is said to have calculated the circumference of the earth. The other sites include the Shiva Temple, Tilla Joggian, the Khewra salt mines, Mallot Fort and Takht-i-Babri. The Punjab tourism and archaeological department, with an initial grant of Rs120m, plans to develop this area for international heritage tourism. The prime minister is right in seeing the potential of this trail as an international heritage site. However, developing historical sites is only the first step towards building a tourism economy. The upkeep and maintenance of such locations, the provision of adequate living facilities, good road access and security as well as ease in obtaining a visa will also play a huge role in the successful promotion of the tourist industry in Pakistan.
JHELUM: Prime Minister Imran Khan interacts with locals after inaugurating the Nandana Fort heritage trail project on Sunday.—PPI
GUJAR KHAN: Prime Minister Imran Khan has said Pakistan can provide a multiplicity of choices for tourists that no other country can, elaborating on the diversity of opportunities to be found in the country — from its long coastline to some of the world’s tallest mountains and heritage sites, including those belonging to ancient civilisations.
He expressed these views after inaugurating the heritage trail project at Al-Bairuni Point (Baghan Wala Village) at Nandana Fort in Jhelum district on Sunday. The trail in Pind Dadan Khan, the premier said, would be the gateway to seven archaeological sites, including Nandana Fort, Shiva Temple, Tilla Joggian, Khewra Salt Mines, Mallot Fort and Takht-i-Babri.
Islamabad: Nandana Fort, the scene of many epic battles and which holds echoes of centuries-old civilizations, will soon be opened for tourists after major conservation.
The remains of the fort, located on a hilltop overlooking the Salt Range in Pakistan’s Punjab province, would be conserved by the tourism and archaeology department of Punjab to convert it into an international tourist attraction site.
“We have decided to preserve the site [Nandana Fort] and build infrastructure so it becomes accessible to tourists” Prime Minister Imran Khan said as he launched the heritage trail project at Al Biruni point in Baghan Wala village at Nandana Fort on Sunday.
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