Minister proposes five-year roadmap to cement Iran-Pakistan cultural, tourism ties
Iranian Culture, Heritage and Tourism Minister Reza Salehi-Amiri proposed on Saturday a five-year roadmap to deepen cultural and tourism cooperation with Pakistan, seeking to move ties beyond periodic exchanges and towards more structured and practical cooperation.
Salehi-Amiri made the proposal during a meeting with Pakistan’s Ambassador to Iran Imran Ahmed Siddiqui at Tehran’s Saadabad Cultural-Historical Complex, IRNA reported.
He said political and economic relations would gain greater depth when built on the two countries’ longstanding cultural ties.
The minister said cultural affinity meant the scope for cooperation was much greater than its current level and that their historic and cultural links should not be allowed to break.
“Our specific proposal is to draw up a five-year roadmap in the fields of culture and tourism and move forward with its implementation step by step,” Salehi-Amiri said.
He said the plan should help people in both countries learn more about each other’s civilizations, cultures and tourism potential.
Iran, the minister added, could use media, social networks and influential public figures to showcase its attractions in Pakistan, including by inviting people with millions of followers to visit and share their experiences.
He also called for stronger links between tourism agencies to develop joint tours and increase tourist exchanges.
Salehi-Amiri said Iran should examine why Pakistan has a smaller share of its tourism market even though many Iranian tourists travel to Turkey and other neighboring countries. He proposed creating a joint cultural tourism route featuring the historical, cultural and natural attractions of both countries, including Pakistani cities such as Lahore and Peshawar.
He also proposed reciprocal exhibitions, saying Iran could hold an exhibition in Tehran highlighting Pakistan’s cultural and historical heritage, while Pakistan could promote Iran’s attractions to its own public.
Salehi-Amiri said Iran holds numerous works and documents related to Pakistan in its cultural and museum collections, including gifts presented by former Pakistani presidents.
Siddiqui said Iran and Pakistan already had extensive contacts and travel between their peoples but had yet to make full use of those links.
“Removing barriers and making people more familiar with tourism destinations in both countries was important,” he said.
The ambassador said Pakistan was planning an exhibition in Iran titled “Pakistan Through Time”, displaying different periods of the country’s history and culture.
He also proposed a discussion on Pakistan’s history, culture, cultural heritage and shared links with Iran alongside the exhibition.
Siddiqui said existing memorandums and agreements should move from documents to implementation and that cooperation should not be limited to exchanges of official delegations.
He called for lasting links between institutions, provinces, Pakistani states, and cultural and tourism organizations.
The envoy said he planned to meet Iran’s deputy culture and tourism minister this week or next week to follow up on the proposals, while continuing consultations with Pakistani tourism officials.
“Our goal is to move relations between Iran and Pakistan from agreements and talks to practical action,” Siddiqui said.