Int'l Silk Route Festival opens in capital

Diplomats, tourism officials gather at PNCA to promote trade and cultural exchange

ISLAMABAD:

The International Silk Route Festival commenced at the Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA) on Saturday, bringing together diplomats, government officials, tourism representatives, business entrepreneurs, sponsors, young people, exhibitors and international delegates to celebrate Pakistan's cultural heritage and promote regional cooperation through tourism, trade and cultural exchange.

The festival was organised by Silk Route Enterprises in collaboration with the Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) under the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination, provincial tourism departments and private-sector stakeholders.

The festival was organised by Silk Route Enterprises directors Sadaf Khalid Khan, Mian Hashim Masood and Prince Shehryar Khan to revive the spirit of the ancient Silk Route and strengthen Pakistan's connections with Central Asia, China, South Asia and the wider international community.

The opening ceremony was attended by Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Tourism, as the chief guest.

Sadaf Khalid Khan and Mian Hashim Masood warmly welcomed the chief guest and distinguished diplomatic representatives, including Uzbekistan Ambassador Alisher Tukhtaev, Sri Lankan High Commissioner Rear Admiral Fred Senevirathne, Portuguese Ambassador Paulo Miguel Guedes Dominguez, Tajikistan Ambassador Sharifzoda Yusuf Toir and Belarus Ambassador Andrei Metelitsa. Representatives of government tourism departments, the private business sector, international delegates from Sri Lanka and Malaysia, and members of the youth community also attended.

In his welcome address, Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan appreciated the efforts of the Silk Route Enterprises team in organising the international initiative.

He highlighted Pakistan's enormous potential for tourism, trade and investment with countries across the Silk Route region and emphasised the need to translate these opportunities into practical cooperation.

He also proposed establishing a dedicated task force to promote the Silk Route region, stressing the importance of coordinated efforts among government institutions, tourism departments, private-sector stakeholders and international partners to strengthen regional connectivity and develop sustainable tourism and trade opportunities.

Managing Director of the Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation Aftab ur Rehman Rana also highlighted Pakistan's significant potential for tourism, trade and cultural exchange with countries along the historic Silk Route.

He emphasised the importance of promoting Pakistan's diverse tourism attractions, cultural heritage and regional connections to attract international visitors and create new opportunities for cooperation.

The International Silk Route Festival seeks to revive the legacy of the ancient Silk Route, which historically connected civilisations through trade, knowledge, art and cultural interaction. These historic routes linked regions stretching from China and South Asia through Central Asia and the Middle East towards Europe, facilitating the exchange of goods, ideas, traditions and innovations.

Building on this historic legacy, the festival aims to establish a contemporary platform for cultural diplomacy, tourism promotion, business networking, investment opportunities and people-to-people engagement.