PESHAWAR: Four historic sites in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have been added to UNESCO’s World Heritage Tentative List, giving the province’s rich cultural and archaeological heritage a fresh international spotlight.
The sites are Sethi House and Gor Kathri in Peshawar, Bhamala in Haripur and Barikot in Swat. Sethi House in Peshawar is a historic mansion associated with the Sethi family and is known for its distinctive architecture and links to the cultural history of old Peshawar.
Gor Kathri, also located in Peshawar’s old city, is an important archaeological and historical site that reflects the city’s long and diverse past. Bhamala in Haripur is an ancient Buddhist archaeological site and is particularly known for its monastery and distinctive stupa. The site provides important evidence of the Gandhara civilisation and the spread of Buddhism in the region.
Barikot in Swat is an ancient settlement with deep archaeological significance. Its remains are linked to the wider Gandhara region and provide clues about the area’s early civilisations and long history of human settlement.
The development is nevertheless seen as an important step towards greater international recognition of KP’s heritage. It could also encourage further conservation efforts and help introduce the province’s centuries-old cultural and civilisational history to visitors from around the world.
On this occasion, KP Information Minister Shafiullah Jan termed the development a significant achievement and said the inclusion of these four sites reflected the historical and cultural importance of the province at the international level. He said the province was home to a rich cultural legacy spanning thousands of years and stressed the need to preserve it for future generations.
“Our rich cultural heritage is our pride and a trust that we must preserve for future generations,” the minister said. Shafiullah Jan said the provincial government was focusing on the preservation, restoration and international promotion of historical sites. He expressed hope that the inclusion of the four sites would help boost international tourism and create new opportunities for the province’s tourism sector.
