UNESCO World Heritage Sites
The table lists information about each World Heritage Site in Pakistan.
- Name: as listed by the World Heritage Committee
- Region: one of the 8 administrative units of Pakistan
- Period: time period of significance, typically of construction
- UNESCO data: the site's reference number; the year the site was inscribed on the World Heritage List; the criteria it was listed under: criteria (i) through (vi) are cultural, while (vii) through (x) are natural; sites meeting both criteria are categorized as "mixed sites"
- Description: brief description of the site
| Name | Image | Region | Period | UNESCO data | Description | Ref(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Archaeological Ruins at Moenjodaro |  | Sindh, Pakistan 27°19′45″N68°8′20″E | 26th century BC to 19th century BC | 138; 1980; ii, iii | Moenjodaro is an archaeological site located on the right bank of Indus River in Larkana District of Sindh. Dating back to the beginning of 3rd millennium BC, the 5000-year-old city was one of the largest and earliest urbanized settlements in South Asia. The ruins were first discovered in 1922 and major excavations were carried out in 1930's, however after 1965 further excavations were banned due to weathering and disintegration. Only one-third of the site has been revealed so far and site conservation works have been on-going since then. | [26] |
| Taxila |  | near modern Taxila, in Punjab, Pakistan 33°46′45″N72°53′15″E | 5th century BC to 2nd century AD | 139; 1980; iii, vi | Taxila is an archaeological site located in the Rawalpindi District, 30 km northwest of Islamabad. The city dates back to the Gandhara period and contains the ruins of the Gandhāran city of Takṣaśilā which was an important Hindu and Buddhist centre, and is still considered a place of religious and historical sanctity in those traditions. | [27] |
| Buddhist Ruins of Takht-i-Bahiand Neighbouring City Remains at Sahr-i-Bahlol |  | Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan 34°19′15″N71°56′45″E | 1st century | 140; 1980; iv | Takht-i-Bahi, meaning spring throne, is a Buddhist monastic complex dating to the 1st century BC located on top of a 152 m high hill. The ruins are located about 16 km from Mardan and 80 km from Peshawar. Sahr-i-Bahlol is a small fortified city, dating from the same era, located near Takht-i-Bahi. The historical complex is a complete Buddhist monastery consisting of four main groups; the Court of Stupas, a monastic complex, a temple complex, and a tantric monastic complex. | [28] |
| Fort and Shalamar Gardens in Lahore |  | Punjab, Pakistan 31°35′25″N74°18′35″E | 1556 | 171; 1981; i, ii, iii | The Fort and Shalamar Gardens in Lahore are two distinct royal complexes from the Mughal era. The Fort is located at the northwest corner of the Walled City of Lahoreand has been destroyed and rebuilt several times during its history. The Shalamar Gardens are example of Mughal Gardens which were constructed by the emperor Shah Jahan in 1642. The gardens are influenced by Persian and Islamic traditions and cover 16 hectares of land area. | [29] |
| Historical Monuments at Makli, Thatta |  | Sindh, Pakistan 24°46′0″N67°54′0″E | 14th century to 18th century | 143; 1981; iii | Makli is a necropolis in the archaeological city of Thatta dating back to 14th century. The monuments and mausoleums in Makli are built from high quality stone, brick, and glazed tiles representing the civilization of Sindh of the time. Tombs of famous saints and rulers including Jam Nizamuddin II are still preserved and are evidence of Hindu, Mughal, and Islamic architecture. | [30] |
| Rohtas Fort |  | Punjab, Pakistan 32°57′45″N73°35′20″E | 1541 | 586; 1997; ii, iv | Rohtas Fort is a garrison fort built by Sher Shah Suri, located about 16 km from Jhelum in Punjab, Pakistan. The fort is an exceptional example of Islamic military architecture, integrating artistic traditions from Turkey and the Indian subcontinent. It was built at a strategic location on a small hill alongside Kahan River to control the Ghakkars. Its name is derived from Rohtasgarh, the site of Sher Shah's victory in 1539 over a Hindu ruler. | [31] |
Tentative list[edit]
In 2004, the Ministry of Tourism pushed forward for new sites in Pakistan to become a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In total, 26 sites are awaiting to be categorised as of 2016 which include:[32][33]
- Badshahi Mosque, Lahore – mosque built in 1673 during Mugal Empire
- Shah Jahan Mosque, Thatta – mosque built in 1647 by Shah Jahan
- Wazir Khan Mosque, Lahore – mosque built in 1635 by Shah Jahan
- Tomb of Jahangir, Tomb of Asif Khan and Akbari Sarai Gateway in Lahore – mausoleum built in 1637
- Tomb of Bibi Jawindi, Baha'al-Halim and Ustead, Mosque of Jalaluddin Bukhari, Uch Sharif – five monuments of historical figures
- Tomb of Shah Rukn-e-Alam, Multan – tomb for sufi Shah Rukn-e-Alam
- Chaukhandi Tombs, Karachi – tombs built during Mughal Empire
- Central Karakoram National Park - largest protected area in northern Pakistan
- Deosai National Park - a high-altitude alpine plain and a national park in Gilgit-Baltistan
- Hingol National Park - a national park in Balochistan
- Hiran Minar and Tank, Sheikhupura – built by Mughal Emperor, Jahangir in 1606
- Mehrgarh, Balochistan – one of the oldest Neolithic ruins and archaeological sites
- Rehman Dheri, Dera Ismail Khan – historical ruins of Indus Valley Civilization
- Harappa, Punjab – historical ruins of the Bronze Age
- Katas Raj Temples - temples near Chakwal which are attributed to Hindu Shahis Eras dating from about 615-950 CE
- Nagarparkar Cultural Landscape - an important center of Jain religion and culture in Sindh
- Mansehra Rock Edicts, Mansehra – earliest writings of the 3rd century BC
- Ranigat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa – archaeological remains of a Buddhist monastic complex
- Shahbazgarhi Rock Edicts, Mardan – inscriptions of the Mauryan emperor, Ashoka
- Baltit Fort, Hunza Valley – Tibetan-style fort built in the 13th century
- Derawar Fort and the forts of Cholistan Desert - located in Punjab
- Ranikot Fort, Dadu – one of the largest forts in the world
- Port of Banbhore – archaeological site of historical port city on the Indus River
- The Salt Range and Khewra Salt Mine - the second largest and oldest salt mine in the world
- Karez System - in Balochistan
- Ziarat Juniper Forest - a juniper forest in Ziarat, Balochistan
Other landmarks[edit]
There are landmarks and structures that have not yet made the UNESCO Tentative List. Long before the creation of Pakistan in 1947, there were cultures and religions that existed before the independence. Pakistan being the centre of various wars led to several dynasties and tribes ruling its lands. They left landmarks behind which some have become national icons whilst others needing the attention of concerned authorities. Some of these include:
- Altit Fort in Hunza Valley
- Bala Hissar Fort in Peshawar
- Chaqchan Mosque in Khaplu
- Frere Hall in Karachi
- Khaplu Palace in Khaplu
- Mahabat Khan Mosque-A Mughal Era mosque in Peshawar
- Faisalabad Clock Tower and the Eight Bazaars
- 17th and 18th-century Tombs of Talpur Mirs
- Faiz Mahal of the Talpur Mirs
- Samadhi of Ranjit Singh
- Mughal built tomb of Asaf Khan at Shahdara Bagh
- Empress Market built during the rule of the British Empire
- The tomb of Qutb-ud-din Aibak, the first Sultan of Delhi and founder of the slave dynasty
- Mohatta Palace, built in 1927
- 18th-century Omar Hayat Mahal
- 19th-century Italian chateau Noor Palace
- The 3000BC built fort of Kot Diji and Faiz Mahal in Khairpur
- 16th-century built fort at Skardu
- Nagar Fort at Chitral
Post-independence Pakistan retained its heritage by constructing sites to commemorate its independence by blending styles and influences from the past. Some of these include:
- Minar-e-Pakistan in Lahore
- Grand Jamia Mosque, Lahore
- Faisal Mosque in Islamabad
- The mausoleum of the founder of Pakistan, Mohammad Ali Jinnah
- Bab-e-Pakistan a memorial site for the victims of the independence
- Pakistan Monument in Islamabad
- The mausoleum of Allama Muhammad Iqbal
Infrastructure and the economy[edit]
Tourism is a growing industry in Pakistan. With more and more foreign investment and funding, Pakistan was able to build its major road and air networks to cater mass movements of cargo and inter-city travel. Roads are being developed by several consultants from the Northern Areas all the way down to the Port of Karachi.
Statistics from the last decade show tourism is a "market led industry and not supply driven" which has led a large decline in travel to Pakistan. This has led to fewer tour agencies being set up and development of historical sites. It has been estimated that the public and private sectors have gradually earned less income from the tourism market causing less investment and innovation within the industry. This has led to several sites to depreciate over time and the lack of minimum international standards have left many sites in poor states. The latest budget showed that less money was being spent on research and marketing and more on defence and other fixed markets.
The 2017 World Economic forum's Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report (TTCR) ranked Pakistan 125th out of 136 countries.[13] Low branding and marketing effectiveness and low priority the government gave to the travel and tourism industry.
Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation[edit]
Some have encouraged the government to again attract tourists to Pakistan by initiating the sponsorship of new businesses in the tourist market: building and maintaining the road and air networks to meet international standards. The maturation of human and natural resources can also contribute in development of this feeble industry. Advertising campaigns need to attract tourist by developing holiday packages tailored to explore the greater regions of the country.
In September 2004 with the bifurcation of the Minorities, Culture, Sports,[34] Tourism and Youth Affairs, tourism was given a separate status of Ministry of Tourism. The Ministry of Tourism was responsible for the policy formulation, development, marketing and promotion of foreign and domestic tourism besides coordination and regulating of federal and provincial governments and private sector activities responsible and involved in tourism.[35]
However, it was not able to achieve any of its objectives and was abolished under Constitutional requirements in Pakistan on June 30, 2011. The promotions of tourism was transferred to the provinces. Now each province runs its own organization that is responsible for tourism. It is now part of Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation or PTDC. It is now responsible for the development of tourism sector.
- Tourism Development Corporation of Punjab (TDCP) is working in Punjab for the promotion of the tourism sector.[36]
- Culture Tourism And Antiquities Department - Sindh[37]
- Department of Tourism - Khyber Pakhtunkhwa[38]
- Secretary of Culture, Tourism & Archive - Baluchistan[39]
- Tourism, Sports, Culture and Youth Department - Gilgit-Baltistan[40]
- Department of Tourism - Azad Jammu and Kashmir[41]
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