F.P. Report
JHELUM: On February 28th, Prime Minister Imran Khan inaugurated the heritage trail at the Al Biruni point (Baghan Wala Village) at the Nandana Fort in district Jehlum.
During his address, Prime Minister Imran remarked that the government was doing all to encourage tourism and generate employment opportunities for youth in Pakistan, which was bestowed with abundant natural resources including sea, high mountains, salt ranges and historical sites.
Mentioning the national heritage importance, Prime Minister commented that “The preservation and protection of our historical sites and national heritage is also essential to keep the coming generations informed about history.”
Imran Khan said after inaugurating the heritage trail at the Al Biruni point (Baghan Wala Village) at the Nandana Fort in district Jhelum, that
the project was undertaken as part of the vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan for the promotion of tourism and in line with the National Tourism Strategy 2020-30.
The Prime Minister said no nation in the world could achieve progress and development without knowing its history which enabled it to have comparison with the current and past achievements.
“We have to protect our historical sites and buildings,” and remarked that the historical sites in Pakistan like Mohenjo Daro and Harappa were discovered by the British.
While appreciating the discovery of 40-feet Budha in Haripur by an archeologist and called for more excavations to find historical places in the country, Prime Minister commented that Baghan Wala would be made a modern village along with the development of other facilities like hotels, restaurants etc., for the promotion of tourism as well as for the development of local area.
Furthermore, he also underlined the historical significance of the new tourist point stating that development of heritage trail in the area, which was used by Abu Rehan Al-Biruni for quantification of earth’s circumference in 11th century for the first time, would help develop area and bring it on the world’s map as a tourist and historical site.
As tourists in Switzerland, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Turkey were properly taken care of by the local populace, the people of Baghan Wala would also have to take ownership of the heritage trail for the promotion of tourism in their area, he added.
“When compared with Turkey and Malaysia, which earn $ 40 billion, $ 20 billion per annum from tourism, Pakistan despite having numerous tourist sites earns nothing,” Imran Khan said.
The Prime Minister while interacting with the local people said the government would provide soft credit to youth of area for the establishment of hotels, restaurants and other allied facilities for tourists.
He assured the local people that the government would also preserve and protect forests in the area by planting olive trees.
Special Assistant to PM (SAPM) Syed Zulfiqar Abbas Bukhari briefed the Prime Minister about the heritage trail as well as the significance of this area in the history.
Imran Khan further highlighted that, Abu Rehan Al-Biruni found the radius of earth at this point in 11th century for having the true direction of Kaaba, whereas the western world did the same in 16th century.
“It speaks volumes about the capabilities and mathematic expertise of Muslim scientists,” he remarked.
On the occasion, SAPM Bukhari commented that PC-1 had been prepared for development of the area under which, besides the development of parks and other facilities in the area, 116 kilometer long road would be constructed and a summer campus would also be established for the education of students.
On the other the Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry expressed his views stating that the construction of Lilla-Jhe-lum road would help addr-ess various problems faced by the people of the area.
While addressing the ceremony, Chief Minister Punjab Usman Buzdar said the provincial government would declare Baghan Wa-la as a “modern village” a-nd would construct link ro-ads including the one to li-nk GT Road with Moto-rway.
Punjab Provincial Minister for Tourism Asif Mehmood in his remarks on the occasion said the provincial government was working vigorously for the development of area in line with the vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan.
Regarding Nandana Fort site the Prime Minister was keen on preservation and conservation of the Nandana Fort site, and its conversion into an international tourism site, he said.
The site’s archeological significance dates back to 11th century when famous scholar Abu Rehan Al-Biruni during his stay quantified the circumference of the Earth.
Later he wrote a famous book about the region and mentioned Nandana as a great center of learning.
There are six more historic sites near the Nandana Fort including Nandana temple, Katas temple, salt-mines of Khewra, Malot Fort and Throne of Babur, he added.
These sites will become part of the heritage trail and the tourists will be able to visit these places in one go.
Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Ahmad Chaudhry, Special Assis-tant to Prime Minister Zulfiqar Abbas Bukhari, Chief Minister Punjab Usman Buzdar and senior officers were also present on the occasion.
