Uzbekistan and Pakistan expand cooperation in pilgrimage tourism

Uzbek diplomats, representatives of the Tourism Committee, and the country's Ambassador for Pilgrimage Tourism in Pakistan Shaykh Muhammad Hassan Haseeb ur Rehman, discussed prospects for expanding cooperation during an online meeting.

The meeting focused on promoting Uzbekistan’s rich cultural, educational, and historical heritage, sacred sites, and pilgrimage tourism opportunities in Pakistan, as well as further developing cooperation between the two countries in this field.

Particular attention was paid to widely promoting Uzbekistan’s immense potential in pilgrimage tourism among the Pakistani public and raising awareness among Pakistani tourists and pilgrims about the sacred sites, historical monuments, and notable tourist destinations in Uzbekistan.

“Uzbekistan has long been recognized as one of the major centres of Islamic civilization,” said Sheikh Muhammad Hassan Hasib ur-Rehman. “The sacred sites located in your country and associated with the great scholars, revered saints, and eminent thinkers held in high esteem throughout the Islamic world are of great spiritual and historical significance to foreign pilgrims, including those from Pakistan. In particular, the rich religious and educational heritage of Tashkent, Samarkand, and Bukhara offers extensive opportunities to further strengthen Uzbekistan’s position in international pilgrimage tourism.”

During the meeting, the participants discussed organizing a visit to Uzbekistan by a delegation of Pakistani religious scholars. It was emphasized that the visit would help strengthen ties between the religious and educational communities of the two countries, facilitate the exchange of experience, and further promote Uzbekistan’s pilgrimage tourism opportunities in Pakistan.

The participants also considered future plans to arrange meetings with the leadership of the Committee on Religious Affairs and the Muslim Board of Uzbekistan, as well as visits to Tashkent, Samarkand, and Bukhara.

The Pakistani side noted that Pakistani religious scholars had expressed considerable interest in visiting the Centre of Islamic Civilization in Tashkent, established on the initiative and vision of the President of Uzbekistan, and the reconstructed Imam Bukhari Complex. Interest was also expressed in producing special video materials about these unique complexes and distributing them in Pakistan.

It was noted that these initiatives would further strengthen the friendly relations between Uzbekistan and Pakistan, promote the development of spiritual and cultural ties between the two peoples, and contribute to increasing the number of Pakistani pilgrims visiting Uzbekistan.

At the conclusion of the online meeting, the participants agreed to continue dialogue on these matters through diplomatic channels.