Abstract
Tourism is recognized as one of the most rapidly increasing branches of the world economy, and archaeological tourism has become one of the effective tools of culture preservation and socio-economic growth. It is a contrast of leisure tourism in the sense that it offers educational and historical experiences as it relates the visitors to the past civilizations. Other countries like Egypt, Greece, Italy, and Mexico have managed to use their archaeological resources to generate tourism and cultural identity as well as local economies. Pakistan, having the rich heritage of the Indus Valley, Gandhara, and Mughal civilizations, has the same potential but is underdeveloped. There are sites like Taxila, Harappa, and Mohenjo-Daro that are known internationally, but there are other districts that are not well known, like Mianwali. Mianwali has major archaeological sites such as the Mari Ruins, the Kafir Kot, the Rokhri Gandhara discoveries, and natural features, such as Namal Lake and Chashma Barrage. Nevertheless, the inadequate infrastructure, absence of facilities, inadequate digital presence, and community awareness are among the challenges that hamper its development as a tourism destination. The review shows the cultural and economic importance of the Mianwali heritage, reveals the major gaps in policy and research, and suggests sustainable development approaches. With an emphasis on infrastructure development, government intervention, and community-based tourism, the paper postulates that Mianwali can become a major destination, and its heritage would be maintained, and that the place would bring socio-economic advantages.
1. Introduction
Tourism has become one of the most rapidly developing branches of the world economy that contributes to the development of the economy, culture, and international relations to a certain extent [1]. Among its numerous manifestations, archaeological tourism has risen to the international level due to its ability to enable individuals to have a direct experience with the remains of ancient civilizations. Archeological tourism, unlike traditional leisure tourism, offers a more profound educational and cultural encounter as it allows visitors to see historic monuments, ruins, artifacts, and cultural landscapes that show the past accomplishments of people over the centuries. Through archaeological tourism, regions have become major cultural tourism destinations. Egypt, Greece, Italy, and Mexico are all known because of ancient monuments, the pyramids of Giza, the Parthenon in Athens, the ruins of Pompeii, and the Mayan temples of Chichen Itza. These heritage properties are not only cultural properties but also a big economic boost to the tourism sector as they provide jobs, boost local industry, and help in cultural identity. This goes to show how much potential archaeological tourism holds in developing the economies as well as the social lives.
Pakistan, having a rich historical and cultural background, has tremendous potential for archeological tourism. Some of the oldest civilizations in the world can be found in the country, such as the Indus Valley civilization, the Gandhara civilization, and Islamic and Mughal monuments. The world heritage sites like Harappa, Moenjodaro, and Taxila have been listed as World Heritage by UNESCO, giving Pakistan a key position in the history of humanity [2]. Regardless of this tradition, tourism development in Pakistan has been largely confined to a small number of popular destinations, with other culturally rich districts having been relegated to the periphery. One of these poorly explored areas is Mianwali, a district at the border of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Traditionally, Mianwali was an intersection of various civilizations such as the Gandhara, Hindu Shahi, and the medieval Islamic. The area has remains of temples, forts, step wells, and Gandharan artefacts that stress its significance in South Asian archeology. But these sites are not systematically documented, maintained, or marketed as tourist destinations in the tourism circuits of Pakistan, as would be the case with Taxila or Mohenjo-Daro.
The fact that Mianwali's archaeological resources were neglected is an indication of wider policy blind spots, lack of infrastructure, and lack of community awareness [3]. Encroachment, lack of conservation, and natural erosion threaten many of its sites, including the Mari Ruins, Kafir Kot, Wan Bhachran Step Well, and Rokhri Gandhara finds. This failure to get etched and appreciated prevents Mianwali not to contributing to the tourism economy and culture preservation in Pakistan, although it has a unique and diverse heritage [4]. This study, hence, aims at bringing to the fore the archeological tourism potential of Mianwali. The overall research question is why Mianwali, although possessing great archaeological attributes, has not been a focus of national tourism policies. The research examines the burden caused by the lack of good infrastructure, promotion, and low academic research. By discussing these problems, the research will raise Mianwali into academic and policy debate, highlighting the socio-economic advantages of tourism development in the district.
The aims of the research are tri-fold: first, to provide documentation and archaeological and cultural sites of Mianwali, second, to assess the obstacles to the preservation and promotion of the sites, and third, to offer recommendations about sustainable archaeological tourism in the area. These are informed by the research questions that will address the historical significance of the sites of Mianwali, why it has not been taken care of, and how they will be developed in the future.
Figure 1: Archaeological Tourism as a Driver of Local Development
Figure 1 shows the conceptual map of how archaeological tourism is a contributor to local development. By beginning with the preservation and promotion of heritage sites, the process increases inflows of tourists. Such inflows boost employment and the development of small businesses, as well as promote the infrastructure in the area. Consequently, communities develop cultural pride and a participative role in heritage preservation, thus a sustainable process of cycle preservation, with tourism preserving a past and acting as a socio-economic driving force.
The importance of this study is that it contributes to the literature as well as to practice. In scholarly terms, it addresses a huge research gap by describing a little-known district of Punjab. In practice, it shows how archaeological tourism may be a source of local development, providing jobs, promoting cultural pride, and strengthening community participation. Thus, the research highlights the dual purpose of archaeological tourism, which is the preservation of heritage and socio-economic development [5].
2. Literature Review
2.1 Concept of Archaeological Tourism
Archaeological tourism is a niche of cultural tourism, which is concerned with the exploration of old structures, relics and monuments, and heritage landscapes. When compared to general tourism, which can focus on leisure, entertainment, or natural landscapes, archeological tourism enables an individual to learn about the ruins of ancient civilizations and relate to the entire human history. It is a multidisciplinary type of travel by nature because it is an amalgamation of archaeology, anthropology, history, and cultural studies. It is aimed to attract visitors as well as to enhance education, the preservation of heritage, and sustainable cultural awareness.
Archaeological tourism all over the world has evolved to become one of the greatest aspects of the tourism sector. Indicatively, Egypt has been associated with the pyramids of Giza and the Valley of the Kings, which receive millions of tourists annually. Likewise, Greece has a legacy of the Classical and Hellenistic periods, such as the Acropolis of Athens, Delphi, and Olympia [6]. Italy is still a center of Roman as well as the Renaissance history, with an impressive array of locations like Pompeii, the Colosseum, and the Roman Forum attracting a number of scholars as well as tourists. Mexico is a country focused on the Mayan and Aztec cultures, with such iconic locations as Chichen Itza and Teotihuacan. These are just a few examples of how archaeological tourism not only preserves cultural memory but is also a sustainable source of the economy.
A comparative approach also reveals the way countries use the archaeological heritage in different ways. An example of such a success in integrating Greco-Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman legacies is Turkey, where integrated tourism circuits have been created [7]. Istanbul is a mixture of ancient and modern culture, as a lot of cities like Ephesus and Troy are marketed together with the historical sites in the nation. These countries illustrate how heritage tourism can draw millions of international visitors a year when developed in a well-planned manner, and can create revenue to help in conservation efforts, local communities, as well as the economy of their countries.
Archaeological tourism is valuable as it attracts visitors as well as encourages heritage conservation. The income obtained via entrance fees, guided tours, and museums is frequently plowed back and used to preserve archaeological sites. This forms a vicious cycle where tourism finances conservation, and the conservation improves tourism. Moreover, archaeological tourism builds cultural pride in the communities by enabling them to be active stakeholders in the preservation of their heritage. Concurrently, it enables foreigners to enjoy other cultural backgrounds, which fosters cross-cultural awareness and affirmation.
Figure 2: International Tourist Arrivals in Archaeological Countries
Figure 2 shows the comparison of international tourist arrivals in five countries having an archaeological heritage: Egypt, Greece, Italy, Turkey, and Mexico [8]. Italy and Turkey have the highest influx because of the broad growth of heritage in modern tourism infrastructures. Mexico and Greece receive a consistent flow of tourists due to the internationally known monuments, and Egypt is ready to draw lots of tourists because of its pyramids and pharaonic history. The number indicates demand for archaeological tourism worldwide and a point of reference in terms of determining the potential yet to be exploited in the under-explored areas, such as Mianwali in Pakistan. The number of people requiring cultural experiences all over the world is increasing. The trend among modern tourists is to find meaningful, educational, and experiential travel and not just leisure. This change causes archaeological tourism to be especially topical in the modern traveling sector. Those countries that have invested in heritage conservation and sustainable tourism have enjoyed a better cultural identification and economic performance. In the case of countries such as Pakistan, which have an Indus Valley and Gandhara background, knowledge of world patterns in archaeological tourism would be useful in creating underdeveloped regions like Mianwali into cultural tourism destinations.
2.2 Archaeological Tourism in Pakistan
There are great archaeological sites in Pakistan that date back to civilizations enjoyed thousands and thousands of years ago. Among the most significant are the Indus Valley Civilization of Harappa and Moenjodaro, and the Gandhara Civilization of Taxila [9]. The three are all UNESCO World Heritage Sites, which reflect the central role of human history has played in Pakistan. Taxila is a symbol of Buddhist education and Gandharan art, Harappa of the organization of cities and the trade developed in the Indus Valley, and Moenjodaro of the technological and cultural richness of one of the earliest urban societies. The value of these sites is tremendous both to historians and archeologists, as well as in the sphere of cultural tourism in the national and international context. With this international attention, archaeological tourism in Pakistan has failed to attain its potential. The number of visitors annually to Taxila, Harappa, and Mohenjo-Daro is still very low in comparison with other analogous sites in other countries. The major factors are a lack of promotion, poor tourism facilities, and insufficient preservation facilities. An example is the difficulty posed to the visitors by bad road accessibility, the absence of signage, inadequate lodging, and guided tours. In addition, security issues during some periods have also had adverse effects on the perception of Pakistan as a safe tourist destination, lowering the motivation of foreign tourists. Such obstacles limit the potential of the archeological heritage of Pakistan in enhancing its role in economic and cultural aspects.
Figure 3: Annual Visitors at Major Archaeological Sites in Pakistan (2020–2025)
Figure 3 shows how many visitors are at Taxila, Harappa, and Moenjodaro each year from 2020 to 2025. The data indicate that there was a steep decrease in 2020-2021 because of global travel restrictions, with a gradual recovery thereafter. Taxila is the one with the largest number of visitors due to its accessibility and historical significance, as compared to Mohenjo-Daro, which is growing moderately. Harappa has a comparatively lower number of visitors but has consistent inflows. The chart identifies the strength of the archaeological tourism of Pakistan and the potential of the sector to grow, yet it has not been properly promoted, developed, and preserved to bring more tourists in the future.
These destinations still enjoy consistent numbers of local and international visitors, and slow but steady progress has been noted since 2021, as travel restrictions were loosened. Taxila is the most frequented of the three because of its closeness to Islamabad and the large-scale remnants of Buddhist monasteries and stupas. Mohenjo-Daro is more popular, whereas Harappa gets relatively less visitation, yet it is very important in terms of its history. A comparative analysis of visitor numbers in the years 2020 and 2025 demonstrates changes but also indicates a recovery and possible increase. To make these heritage sites competitive in the international archaeological tourism arena, enhancement of promotional efforts, provision of tourist facilities, and sustainable management may assist Pakistan in positioning these heritage sites as competitive tourist sites.
2.3 Previous Research on Tourism in Punjab
Punjab is commonly known to be the cultural and historical center of Pakistan, hence the many academic research and policy reports on tourism have always been done on the region. A lot of this study has been done in the big cities of Lahore, Multan, and Rawalpindi, which boast of Mughal sites, Sufi shrines, colonial buildings, and cultural fete [10]. Case studies of sites like Lahore Fort, Shalimar Gardens, the shrines of Multan, and others underline the role of heritage tourism in urban identity, cultural heritage, and economic growth. Likewise, Rawalpindi has also been researched on its heritage in the colonial era and its closeness to the Gandharan Taxila center. These studies highlight the socio-economic gains of tourism that encompass the creation of employment, stimulation of local crafts, and urban regeneration.
The scholarship on tourism in Punjab has a huge gap because research on smaller districts like Mianwali is still in a scarcity. Whereas cities such as Lahore and Multan have taken centre stage in the literature owing to their worldwide fame, districts with rich yet less-publicized archaeological resources are mostly overlooked. This uneven academic attention sets up a disproportion, in which the input of smaller heritage areas is overrun by larger urban areas. Recording unexplored regions such as Mianwali is thus necessary in order to reach a more inclusive perspective of the tourism potential of Punjab. Through broader research, moving past only the major cities, researchers have the chance to show the variety of cultural heritage and archaeological heritage of the province, and that the neglected districts are incorporated into the wider tourism planning and heritage conservation frameworks.
Table 1: Comparative Research on Tourism in Punjab
City/District | Focus of Research | Approx. Number of Published Studies | Remarks |
Lahore | Mughal monuments, colonial heritage, and cultural festivals | 50+ | Most researched due to historical prominence |
Multan | Sufi shrines, cultural identity, handicrafts, heritage preservation | 30+ | Significant scholarly and policy attention |
Rawalpindi | Colonial heritage, link with Taxila, urban tourism | 20+ | Studied as a gateway to Gandhara archaeology |
Mianwali | Archaeological sites (Mari Ruins, Kafir Kot, Namal Lake) | Very few (2–3) | Neglected and underexplored in academic literature |
The academic research focus of major cities and a small district in Punjab has been compared in this table 1 . Its globally renowned Mughal monuments, colonial heritage, and culture festivals make Lahore dominate the scholarship in terms of more than 50 published studies [11]. Multan comes next with over 30 publications, much of which is devoted to its Sufi tombs, handicrafts, and cultural identity, and Rawalpindi has about 20 publications that deal with its colonial legacy and its position next to Taxila. Mianwali, on the other hand, has only 2-3 research contributions and thus lacks good representation in the academic discourse despite its rich archaeological and natural heritage, which includes the Mari Ruins, the Kafir Kot, and the Namal Lake. The unbalanced representation on the table indicates a significant research gap and the necessity to increase academic interest in under-studied districts such as Mianwali.
2.4 Research Gap
Though the archaeological tourism of Pakistan is a well-researched topic, the national and foreign academic research has mainly centered on the internationally known archaeological sites like Taxila, Harappa, and Mohenjo-Daro. Such locations are widely excavated, documented, and popularized, having received attention because of their status as a UNESCO World Heritage site and historic significance. Consequently, academic literature, tourism policies, and development strategies are focused on these well-established destinations. This focus has resulted in an imbalanced distribution of research, neglecting and poor representation of certain districts with equally rich archaeological resources in the field of scholarship and policy development.
Mianwali is a district with most of the largest research gaps. Although it contains some of the most significant archaeological sites, such as the Mari Ruins, Kafir Kot, Rokhri Gandhara finds, Wan Bhachran Step Well, Namal Lake, and the Chashma Barrage area, it has little academic or institutional attention [12]. Lack of organized recording and academic study has prevented it not to being incorporated in the mainstream tourism circuits in Pakistan. In the absence of academic visibility, policymakers and other stakeholders do not have the evidence needed to justify the investment in infrastructure, preservation, and indeed promotion. As such, Mianwali's archeological promise is not realized, creating a loop of invisibility as a result of neglect, and vice versa. This gap is thus critical in filling in to a more inclusive and comprehensive experience of the cultural heritage of Pakistan.
3. Archaeological and Cultural Heritage of Mianwali
Mianwali district is a historically rich area that lies at the cultural intersection of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. It has been an area of great archaeological interest, given that its geographical position has enabled it to both receive and pass on influences of the Indus Valley Civilization, the Gandharan period, the Hindu Shahi dynasty, and the Islamic period [13]. In comparison to Taxila or Harappa, though, the sites at Mianwali have received very little scholarly or governmental attention, despite having a great deal of evidence of prior civilizations in the form of temples, forts, step wells, and cultural landscapes. The history of the district is not limited to a single period of time; however, it represents an account of a history of cultural changes that could enrich the archaeological tourism profile of Pakistan should they be well documented and maintained.
The Mari Ruins and Kafir Kot are some of the most distinctive locations. A complex of temples, thought to date to the Hindu Shahi period (8th-11th centuries CE), is part of the Mari Ruins, which illustrates the architectural and religious culture of early medieval South Asia. There is one temple, known for leaning, which underlines both architectural presumption and geological certainty, and which is a unique edifice in the history of Pakistani archaeology. In the same way, Kafir Kot is a place that is situated on a hill over the Indus River with a mixture of defensive obstacles and Hindu Shahi temples. Both the strategy and religious importance are embodied in its high status and the enormous blocks of stone. Both sites are, unfortunately, abandoned, and their buildings are in poor condition; little is done to preserve them, yet their potential as global tourism locations is high.
The Wan Bhachran Step Well (Bawli) of the 16th century, the work of Sher Shah Suri, is another aspect of heritage, civic, and engineering history [14]. As a source of water to travellers as well as animals through the Grand Trunk Road, the baoli is an example of infrastructure planning. The site is also in need of long-term conservation as well as interpretation for the tourists, even though restoration has recently been done. Likewise, the Mianwali Rokhri Gandhara Finds contribute to the importance of Mianwali in the environment of the Gandharan culture. Stucco sculptures, Buddhist heads, and architectural pieces located in Rokhri can be discussed as the artifacts connecting the district to the general tendencies of Greco-Buddhist interactions and thus are an important place where one can examine the effect of cross-cultural interactions in the area.
Table 2: Major Archaeological and Cultural Sites in Mianwali
Site Name | Historical Period | Current Condition | Tourism Potential |
Mari Ruins | Hindu Shahi period (8th–11th c. CE) | Severely deteriorated, leaning temple at risk | High – unique architecture, heritage tourism |
Kafir Kot | Hindu Shahi period | Walls and temples partially collapsed, vegetation damage | High – fort + temples, could attract international visitors |
Wan Bhachran Step Well (Bawli) | Sher Shah Suri (16th c.) | Partially restored, but the water is muddy, and the inner access is closed. | Moderate to High – civic heritage, rest stop tourism |
Rokhri Gandhara Finds | Gandhara period (1st–5th c. CE) | Neglected, encroachment issues, and artifacts in museums | High – links to Gandharan art, scholarly tourism |
Namal Lake | British colonial period (1913) | Shrinking, ecological stress, “Save Namal Lake” campaign ongoing | High – eco-tourism, birdwatching, linked to Namal University |
Chashma Barrage | Modern (1971), Ramsar site | Sedimentation issues, under pressure from fishing & tourism | High – eco-tourism, education, wetland conservation |
This table 2 will give an overview of the major archaeological and cultural sites in Mianwali, including the historic time, the present site, and tourism potential. The Mari Ruins and Kafir Kot are the symbols of the Hindu Shahi era, but they are in poor condition, which should be preserved as soon as possible. The Wan Bhachran Step Well, a civil monument of the time of Sher Shah Suri, is evidence of the infrastructural future-looking, and it is partially rebuilt. The Rokhri Gandhara Finds reflect the role Mianwali played in the art of Gandhara, but it is endangered by looting and development. There are natural and modern heritage sites that can become highly eco-tourism sites in case conservation strategies are implemented. Broadly, the table shows that Mianwali has a diverse heritage, but there is an immediate need to preserve and promote it as a way of realizing its tourism potential.
The cultural story of Mianwali is further enhanced by natural and modern heritage sites such as Namal Lake and the Chashma Barrage region [15]. The Namal Lake was a scenic eco-tourism site and also an ecological home to migratory birds, which was developed in 1913. The siltation and ecological stress of the lake and the resultant conservation campaigns have resulted in the lake being recognized as important in terms of its environment and tourism. Similarly, Chashma Barrage is a wetland that supports the existence of various bird species and fish populations; this wetland was built in 1971 in the Ramsar site. It handles engineering, environmental, and recreational values, and thus it is an object of national and international value. These archaeological and natural sites together make Mianwali a multi-layered heritage district comprising ancient civilisation, medieval monuments, and modern infrastructure.
4.1 Current Status of Sites
Mianwali archeological sites have not been well exploited in terms of tourism. Although they contain monuments and heritage sites of the Hindu Shahi era, Gandhara civilization, and even the colonial times, they cannot be incorporated into the mainstream tourism fray of Pakistan. Most of the sites, including the Mari Ruins, Kafir Kot, and Rokhri Gandhara finds, are in their present form due to structural damage, encroachment, and the absence of conservation on the sites. There is minimal infrastructure near these places, and access is poor; there are no facilities to accommodate visitors, and promotion efforts are not up to standard. This oversight implies that the real tourism potential of Mianwali has been underutilized and such archaeological richness remains underestimated on a national as well as International scale. The tourism industry of Mianwali would grow tremendously in the event that systematic development and promotion strategies were put in place. The number of tourists visiting the country could increase yearly by investing in infrastructure, visitor centers, digital marketing, and community participation. On the other hand, the growth of tourism is likely to continue paralyzing without any intervention, and only slight gains will be made by domestic tourists. There is a 2025 to 2035 projection model that illustrates two possible futures: one of growth with development efforts, but slow and steady, and another of an almost stagnant future without investment. This analogy reveals the need to implement effective tourism strategies in order to realize Mianwali's full potential.
Figure 4: Projected Tourism Growth in Mianwali (2025–2035)
Figure 4 is the comparison of two potential growth possibilities of archaeological tourism in Mianwali from 2025 to 2035. The With Development shows a consistent growth, increasing from 20,000 visitors in 2025 to about 200,000 visitors in 2035. This is a situation that would presuppose investment in infrastructure, conservation, and advertisement campaigns. Conversely, the line of Without Development is almost straight, with only a small change of 20,000 to 34,000 visitors for the same period. The figure shows how strategic planning and investment may transform the tourism industry in Mianwali and make it a major cultural tourist destination because the area is underutilized at the moment.
4.2 Infrastructure & Accessibility
One of the greatest obstacles to Mianwali becoming a familiar archaeological tourism site is the absence of adequate infrastructure and accessibility. In contrast to Lahore or Taxila, which enjoy an advanced road network, public transport system, road signs, accommodation, and robust digital infrastructure, Mianwali is undeveloped in virtually all terms of tourism infrastructure. The lack of road accessibility and the lack of available means of transport make the existence of archaeological sites more difficult to access, and poor online promotion also makes it less visible to both domestic and international tourists. These differences may be described by a comparative radar chart according to which Lahore scores higher in all dimensions of infrastructure, and Taxila demonstrates moderate accessibility rates, whereas Mianwali scores much lower, which speaks of the necessity of a specific investment.
Figure 5: Comparison of Tourism Infrastructure in Punjab
Figure 5 presents a radar chart ranking tourism infrastructure in Mianwali, Taxila, and Lahore on five dimensions as roads, transport, accommodation, signage, and digital presence. The findings indicate a high score for Lahore in all the categories, which explains its position as a cultural and tourist center and well-established infrastructure. Even though Taxila is not as developed as Lahore, it has moderate accessibility and preservation facilities owing to its UNESCO World Heritage status. Contrasting dramatically, Mianwali has the lowest score in all dimensions, which highlights tough disconnections, infrastructures, and online presence. The chart shows that there is an uproar in the infrastructure development of Mianwali to open the door to archaeological tourism.
4.3 Lack of Tourist Facilities
Facilities provided to tourists are one of the key factors that determine whether a tourist would be satisfied and return to the area, but Mianwali is severely lacking in this department. As opposed to Taxila, where UNESCO recognition and government programs have made the place almost ready to handle tourism, with basic accommodation, good sightseeing, and restaurants, Mianwali is nearly completely unsuitable to conduct organized tourism. Tourists usually face inadequate or unavailable accommodation services, the absence of appropriate signboards at the archeological sites, and the absence of food stalls within the vicinity of the heritage places. In addition, Mianwali is practically undiscovered online in the sense of online travel guides, official websites, or promotional materials, which makes it virtually unknown to both local and international tourists. A comparative study with Taxila reveals how such a lack of basic facilities is a major impediment to the development of tourism in Mianwali.
Table 3: Comparison of Tourist Facilities in Mianwali and Taxila
Facility | Mianwali | Taxila (Model Site) |
Accommodation | Very limited, mostly absent | Moderate, guest houses, and small hotels are available |
Signage | Poor, little to no directional signs | Adequate signage is provided at the main sites |
Food Outlets | Rare near archaeological sites | Available near major tourist areas |
Digital Presence | Almost none, low visibility | Stronger presence through UNESCO, travel guides, and websites |
This table 3 will compare the access to tourist facilities in Mianwali and Taxila. These findings indicate that Mianwali is totally unappealing to potential visitors as it lacks even fundamental infrastructure like accommodation, signage, food outlets, and digital presence. However, compared to Taxila, which is a UNESCO heritage site, it has a relatively higher level of services, such as small hotels, clear signboards, food supply, and international digital prominence through travel websites. The sharp contrast shows why Mianwali is not well developed as a tourist spot and why there is a pressing need to improve facilities so as to attract and keep tourists.
4.4 Community Awareness & Role
Awareness of the local community is central to the maintenance and fostering of archaeological tourism, but in Mianwali, people have little awareness of the importance of its heritage. A lot of residents lack historical context of the sites like the Mari Ruins and Kafir Kot, or perceive them as rooms that are not maintained and have little to do with their lives. This ignorance translates to low involvement of the sites in preservation and the limited advocacy towards government or institutional intervention. Meanwhile, the lack of heritage education and promotional activities has served to solidify the belief that archaeological tourism is confined to sites like Taxila or Moenjodaro, to the exclusion of districts such as Mianwali in terms of its role as a tourist destination. In spite of these obstacles, community involvement in Mianwali is a possibility. In case local people are involved in terms of awareness campaigns, training programs, and heritage education, they may become the custodians of their cultural resources. A variety of positive effects may be created as a result of active community involvement, such as the provision of jobs in terms of guiding services, promotion of handicrafts, and small businesses in the vicinity of heritage sites. More to the point, community pride of heritage can result in greater preservation activities, which creates a self-perpetuating cycle in how knowledge creates engagement, engagement can create gain, and gain creates heritage preservation.
4.5 SWOT Analysis
SWOT analysis is a systematic way of assessing the strengths, threats, opportunities, and weaknesses of archaeological tourism in Mianwali. Its strengths are in the district with a variety of heritage, cultural, and natural heritage: Mari Ruins and Kafir Kot through Namal Lake and Chashma Barrage, both archaeological and eco-tourism. The geographical position of the region of Mianwali between Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa also contributes to its tourism potential, as the region can be termed a cultural crossroads. Nevertheless, there are critical weaknesses that include the absence of infrastructure, inadequate facilities, low digital access, and inefficient governmental support in terms of the visibility and accessibility of the district. In the absence of these pillars, even the most historic of locations are not able to draw sustainable flows of tourists.
Major opportunities that Mianwali has can be realized on the positive side in case of strategic investments. It may be converted into a known tourist destination by community-based tourism, environmentally friendly tourism, and inclusion in national heritage circuits. Its profile would be further enhanced by the promotion using digital platforms and collaboration with universities in order to conduct archaeological research. Such opportunities are, however, under serious threat due to neglect, encroachment, environmental degradation, and insufficiency of preservation funding. Some of the sites of Mianwali can be hurriedly damaged because of a lack of attention. This analysis can be visually summarized using a SWOT diagram or a weighted bar chart, indicating the existence of strong opportunities, in case of the weaknesses are addressed and threats are mitigated.
5. Recommendations & Future Possibilities
The most important thing needed to unlock the potential of Mianwali as an archaeological tourism site is the development of infrastructure. The district needs to be accessible and tourist-friendly through a better road network, good transport facilities, visitor information centers, and other basic facilities like accommodation and food joints. Another aspect that is equally important is the construction of interpretative signage and guided walks at the heritage sites, which not only improves the experience of visitors and cultural knowledge. In the absence of such background enhancements, even well-preserved archaeological sites will not be able to draw large numbers of visitors and produce socio-economic gains.
Long-term sustainability also depends on a greater role of the government. To promote Mianwali among national and provincial tourism policies, policymakers have to incorporate it into their plans and make their locations visible to tourists alongside the popular tourism destinations such as Taxila or Harappa. This may be achieved through setting up preservation funds, introducing awareness of heritage programs, and encouraging investments by the private sector in eco-tourism facilities. Additionally, online marketing using the official websites, social networking, and partnerships with travel agencies can considerably enhance the presence of Mianwali both locally and internationally. Through technology, the district will be able to compete in global tourism, which is increasingly considering cultural and experiential tourism.
Community-level strategies, Community-based tourism strategies, are to be encouraged to enable locals as heritage preservation stakeholders. Guides, craft promotion, and small business training programs in and around heritage sites can generate livelihoods and make sure that communities take pride in cultural resources. Tourism activities like eco-tourism, tourism for watching birds at Chashma Barrage, and conservation-based tourism at Namal Lake can also be used to diversify Mianwali. These suggestions may be summarized in a strategic framework model, in which stakeholders (government, community, private sector) apply the specific strategies (infrastructure, promotion, eco-tourism, community training) and the results of these strategies include heritage protection, job creation, and sustainable tourism development. Such a combined strategy means that Mianwali's archaeological and natural heritage would not only survive but also flourish as a source of socio-economic development.
6. Conclusion
Mianwali has great potential that is not exploited fully as an archaeological and cultural tourism site in Pakistan. Having a rich history of its own, with its Hindu Shahi temples of the Mari Ruins and Kafir Kot, the Gandharan artifacts of Rokhri, and the eco-tourism attraction site of Namal Lake and Chashma Barrage, the district is a legendary combination of history, culture, and nature. However, regardless of this richness, Mianwali still lags behind in the literature and tourism policy, notwithstanding the more established destinations such as Taxila, Harappa, and Moenjodaro. Its visibility and accessibility are still obstructed by the absence of infrastructure, tourist amenities, internet promotion, and governmental sponsorship. This negligence should, however, not be viewed as a permanent one but as an opportunity for future development. Mianwali can become a major player in the cultural tourism economy of Pakistan with strategic investments, focus on policy, and targeted promotional campaigns.
Local communities are also very important. Awareness can be created, and residents can take part in tours like guiding, craft promotion, and eco-tourism projects. Heritage can be maintained and livelihoods created. Sustainable development strategies that favor economic growth, cultural and environmental conservation are necessary in order to guarantee success over time. The archaeological and cultural background of Mianwali is a precious but neglected source. Mianwali can be developed into a known tourism destination by focusing on infrastructure development, government involvement, online presence, and community involvement. With the above strategies in place, the district will not only be able to preserve its heritage for future generations but also realize sustainable socio-economic growth led by cultural pride and global acknowledgement.
