Ambassador of Uzbekistan to Pakistan, Alisher Tukhtaev, has said Uzbekistan and Pakistan are two significant countries along the historical ‘Silk Route’ and that strategic significance will strengthen regional economic and trade integration and the tourism sector.  Uzbekistan, located at the heart of the Silk Road, is home to world-famous ancient cities – Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva, Termez and Kokand – which are UNESCO World Heritage sites. 

Ambassador of Uzbekistan to Pakistan, Alisher Tukhtaev said this while addressing the opening of the Uzbekistan Tourism and Cultural Show – “Uzbekistan: the Pearl of the Silk Road.”  The Chief guest of the Ceremony, Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan, Coordinator to the Prime Minister of Pakistan on Tourism and Aftab ur Rehman Rana, Managing Director of Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation, also addressed the gathering. 

Ambassador of Uzbekistan said this event reflects the growing friendship and partnership between Uzbekistan and Pakistan – two nations that share centuries of history, religion, culture, and traditions.  These cities were centres of Islamic learning, spirituality, and culture, and they still inspire visitors with their magnificent mosques, madrasas, and architectural wonders, he said.  “I would like to use this opportunity to invite Pakistani tour operators, investors, and business leaders to partner with us in developing joint travel packages, hospitality projects, and cultural events.” 

The envoy said that Uzbekistan warmly welcomes your initiatives – whether in hotel construction, transport services, or creative industries. Together, we can make Central and South Asia one of the interconnected and most attractive tourism regions in the world.  The lands of our ancestors were once connected by the Great Silk Road, where merchants, scholars, poets, and travellers moved freely between Central Asia and South Asia, he said.  Today, “we are reviving those historical ties in a modern way – through tourism, cultural exchanges, and direct people-to-people contacts.” 

“I invite our Pakistani brothers and sisters to visit and witness these treasures that reflect the shared civilizational heritage of our nations.”  At the same time, “we highly value Pakistan’s rich cultural and natural heritage – from the Mughal monuments of Lahore, to the vibrant traditions of Sindh, to the breathtaking beauty of the northern valleys,” he said.  He said Uzbekistan firmly believes that by developing tourism in both directions, both sides will strengthen mutual understanding, create new economic opportunities, and build even closer bonds between our peoples.  The Ambassador said that air connectivity plays a vital role in this regard.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)