Your Excellency, Mr. Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan sb, Coordinator to the Prime Minister of Pakistan on Tourism,
Your Excellency, Mr. Aftab ur Rehman Rana sb, Managing Director of Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is a great pleasure and honor to welcome you today to the opening of the Uzbekistan Tourism and Cultural Show – “Uzbekistan: the Pearl of the Silk Road.”
This event reflects the growing friendship and partnership between Uzbekistan and Pakistan – two nations that share centuries of history, religion, culture, and traditions. The lands of our ancestors were once connected by the Great Silk Road, where merchants, scholars, poets, and travelers moved freely between Central Asia and South Asia.
Today, we are reviving those historical ties in a modern way – through tourism, cultural exchanges, and direct people-to-people contacts.
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. These cities were centers of Islamic learning, spirituality, and culture, and they still inspire visitors with their magnificent mosques, madrasas, and architectural wonders.
We sincerely 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. We firmly believe that by developing tourism in both directions, we will strengthen mutual understanding, create new economic opportunities, and build even closer bonds between our peoples.
Air connectivity plays a vital role in this regard. I am pleased to emphasize that Uzbekistan Airways is now operating 2 direct flights per week from Tashkent to Lahore, and 1 weekly flight from Tashkent to Islamabad.
In addition, the Uzbek side is actively working to expand direct and regular air connections to other major cities of Pakistan. These flights will not only make travel more convenient, but also serve as true bridges of friendship, trade, and cooperation.
Today, Uzbekistan is implementing broad reforms in the tourism sector. We are restoring historical monuments, modernizing infrastructure, and promoting new directions such as pilgrimage tourism, eco-tourism, MICE-tourism, medical and adventure travels. We see great potential in attracting more Pakistani tourists – especially for ziyarat tourism, as Uzbekistan is home to many sacred sites and mausoleums of great scholars and Sufi saints, including Imam al-Bukhari, Bahouddin Naqshband, and many others revered in the Muslim world.
Tourism is not only about visiting beautiful places. It is also about building trust, friendship, and partnership. Imagine thousands of Pakistani tourists walking through the streets of Samarkand or Khiva, and Uzbek travelers exploring Lahore, Karachi, or the Hunza Valley. This exchange will bring our two nations closer, strengthen business ties, and open doors for cultural cooperation.
Dear Friends,
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.
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.
Today’s tourism and cultural show is just a small window into the beauty, hospitality, and rich traditions of Uzbekistan. I encourage you not only to watch, but also to taste and feel the essence of our culture. Let this evening be the beginning of many journeys and joint projects that will unite our peoples even more closely.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Uzbekistan is ready to deepen cooperation with Pakistan in all areas of tourism industry and cultural exchanges.
With strong political will, direct air connections, and the warmth of our friendship, I am confident that the future of Uzbekistan–Pakistan tourism relations will grow stronger, deeper, and brighter.
Thank you for your kind attention. I wish this event great success and hope to see many of you soon in Uzbekistan!
Uzbekistan-Pakistan dosti zindabad!
