DEVELOPMENT OF HERITAGE TOURISM TO STRENGTHEN LOCAL ECONOMY IN HAZARA, PAKISTAN UNDER CPEC INFRASTRUCTURE

Abstract

TheancientUrasa, modern Hazara region of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan has remained a junction between central Asia, western Asia and Southeast Asia during Achaemenid, Greeks and Mauryanperiods of Indian history. The trade and commerce between central Asia and western world has taken placed through ancient silk routs passing through Hazara region. The ancient Silk Route was an ancient trade route, linking China with the West, that carried goods and ideas between the two great civilizations of Rome and China in the past. The recent economic project, China Pakistan economic corridor (CPEC) between Pakistan and China also aims to develop trade and diplomatic links through overland route that connects Kashgar-China and Gwadar-Pakistan. The purpose of this trade route is to enhance geographical linkages which will focus on an improved transportation system, promoting people to people contact through academic, cultural and knowledge activity.CPEC envisages regional connectivity, will not only benefit China and Pakistan but will have a positive impact on Iran, Afghanistan, India, and the Central Asian republics. CPEC is considered as a game changer for Pakistan’s economy due to having positive impacts on many economic factors. It has great impact of tourism factor that is becoming a key source of income and employment today, in Pakistan like many others countries of the world. Due to CPEC, the tourism industry of Pakistan recently been flourished at high rank with many national and International tourists throughout the globe. The present paper aims to discuss the role of CPEC in boosting heritage tourism in Hazara region of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province that preserves the heritage remains of Buddhists, Sikhs, Christians, Hindus and Muslims communities in its domain.