Honorable Members of Parliament.
Honorable Ms. Ozgul Ozkan Yavuz, Deputy Minister for Culture and Tourism.
Distinguished Ambassadors.
Ladies and Gentlemen.
A very warm welcome to you to the launching ceremony of the documentary “Amazing Pakistan”.
Honorable guests, Pakistan, a land of contrast, is blessed with immense tourism potential. It is a nation with diverse cultural heritage; rich historical, religious and spiritual background. It is a country with awe-inspiring landscapes, ranging from magnificent mountains, to lush plains and enchanting deserts.
The Travel & Tourism Competitiveness index ranks Pakistan at the 24thPosition in regional ranking out of 122, which shows that Pakistan has great scope for promoting tourism. The tourism products offered by the country can be categorized into four types: religious tourism, archaeological and historical tourism, adventure tourism, and conventional tourism.
Ladies & Gentlemen!
Pakistan is the crucible of three of the great religions of the world Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism- and cradle of another, Sikhism. Gurdwaras at Nankana Sahib and Hasanabdal are a great attraction for Sikhs all over the globe.
Then there is a complex consisting of seven temples popularly known as Katas Raj Temples which is one of the most sacred places in Hinduism. Pakistan also houses dozens of shrines of Sufis and saints, spreading the message of love and pluralism. These shrines attract a large number of pilgrims from different regions of Pakistan.
Ladies and Gentlemen!
The story doesn’t end here. Infact, it has just started! Pakistan is the cradle of three ancient civilizations- Mehrgarh, Indus Valley and Gandhara. Experts believe that Mehrgarh, dating as back as 7000 BC, was one of the earliest sites with evidence of farming and herding in South Asia.
Mehrgarh is also seen as the precursor to the Indus Valley Civilization which lasted from 3300 to 1300 BC. A contemporary to ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia, cities from the Indus Valley Civilization were noted for their urban planning, baked brick houses, elaborate drainage and water supply systems and new techniques in handicraft and metallurgy.
Moving on and we reach the Gandhara Civilzation that lasted from 1500 BC to 535 AD and was at the center of spreading Buddhism to Central and East Asia. To its credit, Gandhara also housed one of the earliest universities in the world where more than 68 subjects including Vedas, Grammar, Philosophy, Astronomy, Medicine, Surgery, Politics, Warfare, Music, Commerce, etc. were taught to thousands of students from South, East and Central Asia.
Gandhara civilization represents one of the oldest remains of the Buddhist culture in Asia and is of special spiritual significance for Buddhists living all across the world.
Later in our history, splendid monuments were built by successive dynasties and rulers, particularly by the Mughals. These include the Royal Fort, Badshahi Mosque, Shalimar Garden, Tombs of Emperor Jehangir and Empress Noor Jehan, Rohtas Fort and the Shah Jahan Mosque.
Ladies & Gentlemen!
When it comes to Adventure Tourism, there is probably no other place that is endowed with a combination of high peaks, rushing rivers and monumental glaciers. Pakistan has some of the world’s highest mountains in a knot of three great mountain ranges, the Hindu Kush, Karakoram and the Himalayas.
The country has the second highest number of peaks above 8,000 meters in the world. These include the second loftiest mountain, K-2. Pakistan also has the largest glaciers on the globe outside the polar regions. These mountains and glaciers offer a tremendous attraction for adventurers.
Honorable guests!
A visitor visiting Pakistan not only experiences what I have just mentioned, he or she also witnesses first-hand a rich culture, diverse cuisine, heart thumping music and above all, love. Love and respect for our guests is ingrained in our DNA.
Ladies and Gentlemen!
Pakistan is blessed with tremendous potential in the fields of tourism and hospitality and Government of Pakistan is determined to tap that potential. In addition to the splendid landscape, rich history and culture, the tourism assets of Pakistan also include a coastal zone spreading over one thousand kilometers along the Arabian Sea offering long term development potential for beach resorts and desert cities.
With the objective of showing our Turkish brothers and sisters what I have just mentioned and to invite them to visit Pakistan; the Pakistan Embassy commissioned “Amazing Pakistan”. It was filmed in the Turkish language, has five episodes, and is currently being aired on TRT Belgesel.
After my speech ends, you will watch the promo of “Amazing Pakistan” and later on during the course of Iftar Dinner, we will show you glimpses of some of the attractions I have mentioned.
Availing the opportunity, I would like to thank the team who have made it; especially Ms. Burcu, who along with the team members travelled through the length and breadth of Pakistan and came out with such a beautiful outcome.
In the end, I would like to once again thank you all for sparing the time to join us today at the launching ceremony of “Amazing Pakistan”.
Wishing you all happy travels.
Iyi seyirler ve afiyet olsun.
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