The Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has accelerated efforts to highlight its historical and cultural heritage at the global level. In this context, a delegation from UNESCO met with Dr. Abdul Samad, Secretary of the Department of Tourism, Culture, Archaeology, and Museums of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, to discuss the inclusion of historic sites such as Jamal Garhi, Barikot, and Takht Bhai in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
The UNESCO delegation included Ms. Christina, Dr. Luca Maria Olivieri, and Jawad, who emphasized during the meeting that UNESCO is currently revising its World Heritage List. If the KP government wishes to nominate new sites, UNESCO is fully prepared to offer its support.
Dr. Abdul Samad expressed the provincial government’s strong interest in nominating Jamal Garhi and Barikot as World Heritage Sites, stating that these sites meet all international criteria. He further mentioned that the Department of Archaeology has undertaken extensive measures to preserve Takht Bhai.
According to Dr. Samad, Takht Bhai is the most visited heritage site in Pakistan, attracting two to three thousand tourists each month, with the number rising to over twenty thousand during Eid holidays. He noted that the government plans to expand the buffer zone, construct an international-standard boundary wall, and establish a small museum and a tuck shop. The topographical survey of Takht Bhai has already been completed, which is being regarded as a significant achievement in Pakistan’s heritage documentation
He also informed the delegation about the preservation efforts at Rani Gatt, where 2,000 kanals of land have been acquired to establish a buffer zone ensuring long-term conservation.
The UNESCO delegation appreciated these efforts and assured that KP’s initiatives—particularly concerning Takht Bhai, Jamal Garhi, Barikot, and Rani Gatt—will be prominently highlighted in the upcoming UNESCO seminar
It is worth noting that Takht Bhai is a well-preserved Buddhist monastic complex dating back to the 1st century CE, while Jamal Garhi and Barikot are also significant ancient archaeological sites. Inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List would not only raise their global profile but also help secure Pakistan’s cultural heritage for future generations.
