Foreigners shy from Taxila Museum amid security concerns
By Ali Usman

LAHORE: Terrorism and security concerns have adversely affected the number of tourists visiting Pakistan, deterring those who are eager to visit sites such as Gandhara civilization remains at Taxila.

March and April are considered to be the peak months for foreign tourists, but the situation is not promising at Taxila this year.

A visit to the archeological site revealed that some locals dependent on the tourists’ activities were forced to scale back their businesses. Hotels in the area also suffered, as tourists avoid staying for security reasons.

Taxila Museum Assistant Curator Arshadullah told Daily Times that the number of foreign visitors had declined this year following a attacks across the country.

He said the museum housed rare sculptures of the Buddha, which were a source of inspiration for many Buddhists visiting the site. Taxila Museum is located 35 kilometres from Islamabad on the Grand Trunk Road.

The museum surroundings are quite scenic and are famous for the remains of Gandhara art. Most of the sites at Taxila, dating back 600 BCE to 500 CE, are located around the museum. It is an ideal place to learn more about the archaeological significance of the area, archeologists say.

It displays artifacts detailing the daily life of the inhabitants of ancient Taxila. The museum contains six galleries and original objects found during excavations have been exhibited prominently.

A local resident Zahoor said, “I do not know much about the history of these objects but I want them to be protected. For the last 40 years of my life I have been seeing foreigners coming to this place and wish that they come here in the same bulk as they used to be”.