CM aide proposes establishment of Gandhara knowledge corridor to attract global tourism
Special Assistant to the Chief Minister for Science, Technology, and IT Shafqat Ayaz on Monday proposed the creation of the Gandhara Knowledge Corridor as a platform for knowledge sharing, technological development, and global cooperation.
Speaking at an international workshop on the Gandhara civilization at the Peshawar Museum, Ayaz emphasized the provincial government’s commitment to utilizing modern technology to boost religious tourism and provide world-class facilities for foreign visitors to the region.
He also underscored the significance of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as the custodian of 90pc of the heritage of the Gandhara civilization. “The Gandhara Knowledge Corridor will facilitate global research and cooperation, helping to present a positive image of KP to the world,” he added.
The workshop was jointly organized by the Science, Technology, and IT Department and the Archaeology Department, drawing over 40 researchers and scholars from 20 international universities across 14 countries. The international delegation, currently on a special visit to KP, recently toured the historic Takht Bai site and is scheduled to visit Swat in the coming days.
During the event, Shafqat Ayaz underscored the role of science, IT, and archaeology in preserving and presenting the various elements of the Gandhara civilization through modern research. He highlighted the potential of using artificial intelligence for geological studies and creating digital archives, ensuring the effective preservation and transmission of this invaluable heritage to future generations.
He also emphasized that the province offers vast opportunities for religious tourism, and the government is taking concrete steps to enhance these avenues through advanced technological tools.
The workshop concluded with the distribution of honorary shields and gifts to the international participants and researchers in recognition of their contributions to the study of the Gandhara civilization.
