Pakistan is a diverse country, in terms of culture, religion, tradition, history, and landscape. Per Statistics Bureau of Pakistan released the religious data of the 2017 Pakistan Census on May 19, 2021. 96.47% are Muslims, followed by 2.14% Hindus, 1.27% Christians, 0, 09% Ahmedies, and 0.02% others. It is time to highlight the possibilities of religious tourism in Pakistan. With the increase in the popularity of tourism, Pakistan is also opening doors for Religious Tourism like Sikh Tourism, Shrines Tourism, and much more.
In fact, major religions such as Hinduism, Islam, Sikhism, and Buddhism have taken root in Pakistan. If we ensure that we provide the best travel facilities, then a large number of pilgrims from other countries want to visit Pakistan’s history, religion, culture, and natural beauty.
Religious Tourism And Pakistan
Pakistan Tourism and Religious tourism are an important part of the economy. It is also called special interest tourism. Additionally, Religious tourism is usually associated with followers of certain religions who visit places considered holy. Not only religious sites will be visited by pilgrims, but also non-religious tourists due to their cultural, historical, and religious significance. The more professional part of the tourism industry is directly affected by economic instability, while religious tourism is relatively less affected by these economic problems because the reasons for travel are very strong and play a very important role in people’s lives.
Religious tourism is the main form of tourism, almost beginning with the dawn of mankind. Since ancient times, religious destinations have not only been part of the cultural landscape but have also become an important factor in local marketing and a key part of the host destination’s economy. Some religious sites, such as Mecca in Saudi Arabia,
It is difficult to give a specific definition of religious tourism. The reason behind this is that cultural and religious tourism are synonymous. This is because most cultural tourists will visit religious destinations as part of their itinerary, so they are called religious tourists.
Government is Taking Advance Steps to Promote Religious Tourism in Pakistan: Qureshi
Why Religious Tourism Is Important For Pakistan?
Religion and tourism are interrelated. However, religious tourism refers to travel whose main motivation is to experience religious activities or products that stimulate religious activities (such as art, culture, tradition, and architecture).
When Christians travel to Jerusalem and Muslims travel to Mecca, the pioneering form of tourism is a religious pilgrimage. Religious pilgrimage has always been one of the leading factors driving people to travel. Looking back on the history of religion, we find that major religions have stimulated the global tourism industry as a basis for spreading their religious beliefs.
Globally, Pakistan is very popular among the three popular religions in the world, namely Islam, Sikhism, and Buddhism.
PTDC Taking Measures
The Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) has identified 480 tourist attractions. Among them, 106 are historically significant, 120 are religious, and 26 are religious and historical. In addition, it may attract more religious tourists to Pakistan, including civilians and Buddhists. Recently, Pakistan opened the Central Gurdwara and temples at Gurdwara Kartarpur Shrine in Punjab (Pakistan). Among the priorities of the government’s tourism sector, Pakistan ranks 112th out of 132 countries.
However, the current government is focusing on this area by taking certain measures. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Provincial Government plans to return more than 3,000 historical relics to attract tourists from the area. In addition, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Provincial Government recently launched the first mobile tourism application to promote tourism in the region.
Therefore, we are here to highlight Pakistan’s religious tourism opportunities, destinations, and socio-economic development opportunities, and how Pakistan can enhance its positive image through religious tourism.
Prominent Places for Religious Tourism In Pakistan
Pakistan is full of sacred places you can find in each province and people from all over the world visit these places. Some of them are listed below:
Ziarat is one of the most beautiful places in Balochistan. Many people used to come here for picnics, sightseeing, and travel. It has the second largest juniper forest in the world and has a history of about 7,000 years. Because of its natural beauty, the commander-in-chief also spent his last anniversary here. The shrine of the famous Sufi saint Hawalibaba is one of the main attractions for tourists.
Similarly, a pilgrimage to the Hinglag Mata temple on the Hangul River in Balochistan is considered a religious obligation of the Hindu community. However, the recent unrest in Balochistan has severely damaged the tourism industry.
Sindh has many holy places for followers of Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism, and Jainism, also known as the land of saints. The shrines of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar, Shah Abdul Latif Bhattay, and Sachal Sarmast are very popular among the masses. In addition, hundreds of mosques, shrines, temples, Gurdwara, and other historical sites are important sources of people’s piety. A large number of tourists from Japan, South Korea, Thailand, and other countries hope to visit the Buddhist holy sites in Pakistan. The historic church built in the British era may become a center of attraction for Christian tourists from Europe and the United States.
Religious Tourism Around The World
In today’s world, the economy of most countries is completely dependent on tourism. This is why Malaysia, United Arab Emirates, Thailand, Switzerland, and more countries use different marketing methods to attract global tourists to promote national development. Compared with other countries, Pakistan has relatively more opportunities for tourism, but unfortunately, in the past 73 years, no government has made tourism promotion a priority.
Prime Minister Imran Khan ordered the Tourism Promotion Government Committee: complete the tourism plan within the next six weeks, taking into account the ecology, culture, and natural beauty of Pakistan. However, the public is still waiting for the recommendations of this high-level committee composed of prime minister’s advisers, special assistants, and ministers.
Even today, reaching most tourist destinations is not so easy. Tourists face many difficulties in traveling. Tourists who are religiously motivated also face the problem of lack of facilities. Under the leadership of the current government, the historic Qatar Corridor initiative has high hopes for the promotion of religious tourism, but this trend has not gone further.
COVID Severely Affects Religious Tourism In Pakistan
Unfortunately, the COVID situation not only disrupts daily life around the world but also damages the global tourism industry. Due to precautions, many religious sites are still closed. But these holy places cannot close for a long time. Moreover, once the deadly Covid-19 attack is brought under control. Then, large numbers of people will visit the holy sites. In order to effectively deal with this situation, a strong policy must be formulated with religious tourism as a priority.
However, the government can get so much income from religious tourism, not only can it get rid of foreign debts, but all development projects can also be completed smoothly. Likewise, an atmosphere of religious tolerance will flourish, which will also establish a positive image of our beloved country in the eyes of the international community.
Religious Sites In Pakistan
Religious tourism in Pakistan can make a major difference in the economical sector if used wisely. As people from all over the world visit religious sites in Pakistan for peace and solace.
Multan
Shah Rukn-e Alam, Multan
Mausoleum of Hazrat Bahuddin Zakriya
The Mausoleum of Shah Rukn-e-Alam
Mausoleum of Shah Shams Tabriz
Bad-Shahee Mosque
Baba Buley Shah
Hazrat Muhammad Shah Yusaf Gardez
Sukkur
Shrine of War Mubarak
The Shrine of Sadruddin Badsha
Shrine of Khwaja Khadir ( The ‘Green Man’)
Lahore
Data Darbar Shrine
Mausoleum of Dadaji Ganjbaksh
The Mausoleum of Hazrat Mian Mir
Mausoleum of Shah Inayat Qadiri Shatari
Bibi Paak Daaman / Shrine of Ruqayah bint Ali
Karachi
Shrine of Mangho Pir
Shrine of Abdullah Shah Ghazi
Sehwan
Shrine of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar
Shergarh
Shrine of Shaikh Daud Bandagi Kirmani
Garh Maharajah
Mausoleum of Sultan Bahu
Bhit, Sindh
Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province
Rehman Baba
Famous Hindu Temple in Pakistan
Baluchistan
Hinglaj Mandir or Nani Mandir, Hingol National Park, Baluchistan
Punjab
Katasraj Temple in the Punjab Province
Jagannath Mandir in Sialkot
Sindh
Panchmukhi Hanuman Mandir in Karachi
Kalka Devi Cave in Sindh
Naval Mandir in Karachi
Khyber Phaunkhawn
Shri Varun Dev Mandir in Manora
Gorakhnath Temple in Peshawar
Buddist Sites in Pakistan
Pakistan is the hometown of Mehrgarh, Moenjodaro, and Harappa, the land of the awesome Gandhara civilization as the seat of Buddhism, the devout carvings of the Hindu Shahi temples of Salt Ring and Tharparkar, the gorgeous funeral ensemble of Makli, Multan, and Uch Sharif, local and imported The subtle blend of, represents the continuous Bagh dynasty and jewels that expanded in the center of Chahar, just like the mansion of the greatest kingdom in the world, by the young rulers of Fergana, the great Mughal-style Sikhs Creation, and a common heritage of eclectic architecture with European touches, the few British who colonized this land.
- The famous Gandhara-style Buddha statue in the Taxila Museum, Pakistan.
- Takht-i-Bhai is an archaeological site and Buddhist monastery in Pakistan.
- Damarajka Stupa in Taxila, Pakistan.
- The Amluk Dara stupa near the Nawajai village in Swat.
- The Stupa of Mehenjo Daro.
- Gilgit Baltistan-Buddha’s Manthal Rock
- The stupa of the Jaulian Temple (declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO).
- Bhir Taxila Mount.
- The Temple of Jundial in Taxila.
- The Buddhist temple complex of Takht Bhai Mardan KPK.
Final Thoughts
The government should also take the necessary measures to protect these sacred places to promote religious tourism in Pakistan. However, Pakistan has great potential for religious tourism. All we need is to advance and upgrade facilities for the tourist and law & order situation along with the proper marketing of what we provide.
