October 18, 2023
KUALA LUMPUR – Religious tourism is typically associated with members of particular faiths who visit locations regarded as sacred sites.
Apart from worshipers, tourists with no religious affiliation also visit holy places due to their cultural, chronological, and spiritual importance.
Pakistan’s religious diversity spans Islam, Hinduism, Christianity, Sikhism, and Buddhism. The Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) designates 120 out of 480 destinations as religious sanctuaries, offering guidance through 18 centers nationwide. This preserves heritage, provides jobs, and enhances facilities.
PTDC also organizes festivals, like the Vesak Festival in 2019, celebrating ancient religions and underscoring the nation’s commitment to religious diversity.
The cultural mosaic of Pakistan is enriched by its cities, each of which has a distinct religious and historical significance. At this point, the territories of Baluchistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and the nearby portions of Punjab and Sindh, contain a huge number of sanctuaries that demonstrate the greatest legacy of the Hindu religion, among these are the Dharmarajika Stupa, Buddha, Takht-i-Bahi, Mankiala Stupa, and the celebrated rubble of the Gandhara culture. Everywhere the eye traverses, the meticulous preservation of the spiritual heritage is on display.
The country is also the home of Mehrgarh, Moenjodaro, and Harappa as well as the origin of the illustrious Gandhara civilization, a key Buddhist center.
The land also bears testimony to the enduring Hindu Shahi sanctuaries of Tharparkar, as well as the mesmerizing ensemble of burial sites at Makli, Multan, and Uch Sharif. State-of-the-art constructions symbolize a limitless sum of labor put in to represent ancient cultures in the most beautiful manner known to mankind, which raises deeper inquiries and interest in the human capacity to explore other civilizations comprehensively.
With its Shah Rukn-e Alam and Hazrat Bahuddin Zakriya mausoleums, Multan is a testament to Sufi mysticism. Lahore, the capital city of Punjab, is home to the revered Data Darbar Shrine and the tombs of spiritual luminaries such as Hazrat Mian Mir and Shah Inayat Qadiri Shatari. Karachi, the teeming seaside metropolis, is home to the holy sites of Mangho Pir and Abdullah Shah Ghazi. Sukkur, Sehwan, Shergarh, Garh Maharajah, and Bhit are all examples of the spiritual tapestry woven throughout Pakistan’s varied landscape.
Pakistan, a haven for nature enthusiasts, captivates with its majestic mountains, serene lakes, and tranquil valleys. Each locale promises a unique and awe-inspiring experience, from the towering Alps to mirror-like lakes and welcoming lush valleys. Every journey, be it a mountain hike, a canoe ride, or a leisurely stroll, offers moments of pure wonder. These memories, imbued with timeless beauty, evoke an unmatched sense of contentment and elation.
The Pakistan Army has played an instrumental role in strengthening the country’s security condition, which helped in the promotion of tourism in Pakistan.
Military operations launched by Pakistan’s armed forces against extremists from 2013 to 2017 wiped out terrorism and militancy across the country, particularly in northern areas which are widely known for its striking beauty.
Not only has this but the Pakistan Army expressed an interest in developing tourism in Chitral through partnerships with stakeholders so as to make the most of the tourism potential.
Furthermore, with the strong support of the Pakistan Army and the local government, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Culture and Tourism Authority (KPCTA) opened the Orakzai tribal area to tourists. The Spring Gala was set up in Orakzai to boost tourism and to explore the beauty of the area and experience the local traditions and culture.
For its unwavering efforts to provide peace and security to the nation and open gates for tourism, the Pakistan Army has been acknowledged and honored on several occasions.
The positive impact of these initiatives is reflected in the UN Secretary-General’s statement which lauds Pakistan’s accomplishment in altering its image from a terrorist-infested country to a safe and appealing tourist destination.
Pakistan’s Constitution protects cultural minority rights, emphasizing spiritual acceptance and harmony. This implementation breaks down walls, fostering understanding and unity.
Recent efforts to strengthen the tourism industry have yielded positive results. Digital competency and the prevalence of social media play a pivotal role in promoting faith-based tourism in present-day Pakistan. Online visa applications streamline travel in this tech-savvy era. These platforms serve as powerful tools for spreading awareness and enabling travelers to discover Pakistan’s rich religious heritage.
Through compelling visuals, informative blogs, and interactive forums, social media allows users to virtually experience these sacred sites, generating curiosity and interest.
The pursuit to revive the tourism industry in Pakistan has experienced an astonishing revival, bolstered by a dedication to implementing advanced health and safety protocols.
At every turn, travelers attending religious events and immersing themselves in the rich variety of spiritual heritage are greeted with positive sensory cues. Mesmerizing sceneries, holy places, and ancient artifacts build an experience that goes
beyond tourism. From a tourist’s viewpoint, Pakistan is a land of vast capability, where spirituality, culture, and breath-taking wonders come together.
With a reinvigorated concentration on safety, Pakistan is getting ready for a revival of tourism, welcoming the world to behold its stunning vistas, investigate its spiritual past, and savor the tranquility that is everywhere in this unbelievable nation.
Additionally, the Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation states that the travel and tourism sector accounted for 7.9% of the country’s total employment in 2023.
Religious tourism can bring economic benefits to countries by bringing in money from admission fees, contributions, and tourist spending. This can also lead to infrastructure improvements in the areas surrounding religious sites, this can include the construction of roads, transportation, and other facilities that can benefit the neighborhood.
It is praise-worthy to mention that Pakistan is adopting various measures to promote religious tourism in the country, including the development of a comprehensive strategy to promote Gandhara tourism in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, and the promotion of lesser-known religious sites.
Also, the inauguration of the Kartarpur Corridor in 2019, which enabled Sikh worshipers from India to visit the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur without a visa, is one of the significant initiatives of the Pakistani government. This initiative has been praised for its promotion of religious equality and facilitation of Sikh pilgrimage.
The government has also emphasized the promotion of religious tolerance through its initiatives. As it can be seen the government of Punjab organizes interfaith events to promote harmony and understanding among people of diverse religious beliefs.
The government of Pakistan has also enacted policies to ensure the participation of religious minorities in various industries, including tourism. For example, there is a 5% minimum hiring quota for religious minorities.
Another great initiative taken by the Pakistan Government is the tourist brand, called “Salam Pakistan,” which will focus on Sikh pilgrims visit the Shrine of Baba Guru Nanak Dev enhancing the country’s image as a safe, secure, friendly, and hospitable location with appealing tourist attractions. It will not just help to promote tourism but will also help to generate revenue up to $4 billion in the coming years.
All in all, the Pakistani government and Army have improved law and order, making it a safer destination for tourists of different religious backgrounds, which is expected to benefit the country economically.
Pakistan is now a popular religious and natural tourist destination due to its many sacred sites and beautiful landscapes, and organizations like the PTDC are dedicated to providing a safe and secure environment for visitors.
This makes the country an ideal place for spiritual growth and rejuvenation.