Ambitious plans

In a telephone conversation, the Minister of State and Chairman of the Prime Minister's Task Force for Gandhara Tourism Ramesh Kumar Vankwani revealed ambitious plans to heighten Pakistan's global tourism profile, with a special emphasis on attracting visitors from China.

"The Gandhara Corridor, currently in its nascent stages, is conceived to draw globe-trotters, particularly from China," he said. This venture, Vankwani added, would establish an air travel route between Islamabad and the capitals of Buddhist-majority nations. Upon landing at Islamabad International Airport, international Buddhist tourists can be ushered to Gandhara sites in collaboration with provincial agencies.

He delved into the annals of history, reminiscing the time when followers of Gautama Buddha journeyed across the towering, rugged cliffs of Gilgit-Baltistan, charting paths to lands as distant as China and Japan.

"Among the myriad attractions that dot our land, the Buddha Manthal Rock stands prominent. A cherished site for Tibetan worshippers, its mystique can captivate Chinese tourists," Vankwani pointed out, adding a historical tidbit: "Skardu was a linchpin in Buddhist Tibet's narrative. Even today, its essence resonates with that bygone era."

As Pakistan embarks on this journey to reclaim and showcase its historical and natural splendors, one thing is certain: it's ready to script a new chapter in global tourism, with China playing a lead role.

Nestled amid the rugged terrain of Gilgit-Baltistan, carvings of the Buddha stand etched on cliff faces, bearing silent testimony to ancient acts of faith. These images, whispers of a time gone by, present not only a rich history but a promising avenue for modern Chinese tourists.

As the sinews of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor tighten, binding the two nations in economic partnership, Pakistan finds its visitor books increasingly inscribed with Chinese names.

"Since CPEC's commencement, we've noticed a significant influx of Chinese nationals," said an official from Pakistan's tourism board. Their reasons vary from formal delegations to business explorations — and a sense of wanderlust.