Ambassador Masood Khan

Ifrah Tariq

Zaigham Abbas

Peggy Letter

Testimony to a rich cultural heritage

 

Pakistanis Are the Best Assets for Promoting Tourism: Masood Khan
By Elaine Pasquini
Photos by Phil Pasquini

Washington: Pakistan’s rich cultural heritage and tremendous tourism potential were showcased in a special cultural program on March 7, 2024, at the Embassy of Pakistan in collaboration with The Hospitality and Information Service for Diplomats (THIS for Diplomats),  a non-profit dedicated to promoting international understanding and friendship through educational, informational, and cultural exchanges with members of the  diplomatic community  in Washington, DC.

Guests included diplomats from Spain, Germany, Malaysia, Uzbekistan, Switzerland, France, Iraq, Canada, Kyrgyzstan, Chile, Singapore, Egypt, Hungary, Japan, Korea, Brunei and Sri Lanka, along with members of the International Monetary Fund, World Bank and the European Union.

THIS president Peggy Letter thanked Masood Khan, Pakistan’s Ambassador to the US, for his hospitality in making the event possible and also Zaigham Abbas, press and cultural attaché, who led the team which organized the event. “Your warm hospitality has not only created a memorable experience but has also strengthened our bonds with the Pakistani diplomatic community,” she said.

“At this moment, a committee like yours that extends hospitality to diplomats is really a great service,” Ambassador Khan told THIS members at the event.   “You are an international community in miniature representing different nations here in the United States and THIS for Diplomats turns these foreigners into a family so that you can connect and understand each other’s perspective in a better way.  The organization connects people and it’s a great service for diplomats arriving in the country.”

“Diplomacy is about strengthening bonds between people and building trust among nations,” Pakistan’s top diplomat said. “It is about knowing each other.”

Building trust begins with turning acquaintances into friends “and then we develop trust between two individuals and two communities and then we start transactions – whether economic or political – transactions of all kinds,” he said. “So, trust is the key ingredient, and you have to build it; it’s not given. Diplomacy is about strengthening these bonds between people and also reducing differences that they may have.”

Highlighting the enormous potential for tourism in Pakistan, a country of 240 million, the ambassador invited audience members to visit the country and experience the timeless beauty of Pakistan’s ancient civilizations and natural wonders from snow-capped peaks to pristine coastal areas and enjoy the delicious Pakistani cuisine.

Pakistan has been home to many ancient civilizations like the Indus Valley Civilization and the Grandhara Civilization, “but we also have a very dynamic and resolute people who are friendly, hospitable and welcoming,” he said. “You must go to Pakistan to experience the hospitality of the people of Pakistan…who are its biggest asset for promoting tourism.”

Zaigham Abbas informed the audience that the award-winning travel magazine Travel + Leisure declared Pakistan one of the top 50 destinations to visit in 2024.

In honor of International Women’s Day, Ifrah Tariq, First Secretary at the Pakistan Embassy, referred to the role of women in the tapestry of Pakistan’s rich culture and heritage. “Pakistan’s resilient and determined women have excelled in their fields and paved the way for women to follow,” she said.

They have also made significant strides in arts, sports entrepreneurship and social activism and have demonstrated their creativity, aestheticism and entrepreneurial spirit.

“Pakistani women have left an indelible mark on the fabric of society by virtue of their strength, intellect and determination,” she said. One of the most notable areas in which Pakistani women have excelled is education; they have also made significant strides in politics and government. “Pakistani women have proved their mettle on the global stage.”

Tariq went on to point out several prominent women in Pakistani history beginning with Begum Ra'ana Liaquat Ali Khan,  the wife of the first prime minister Liaquat Ali Khan, who was a career economist and became the first female governor of the province of Sindh.

Benazir Bhutto, she noted, became the first democratically elected head of a Muslim-majority state in 1998. “Since then, numerous women have followed in her footsteps breaking barriers and challenging traditional gender roles in politics,” she added. Two Pakistani women,  Shaista Asif and Shazia Syed, have been named in Forbes' list of the Middle East's 100 Most Powerful Businesswomen for 2024.  

After viewing two short documentaries on Pakistan’s diverse inventory of tourist attractions, including the natural landscape and rich cultural heritage, guests browsed the make-shift souk with traditional clothing, books and artwork. As always, the unrivaled cuisine of Pakistan was the pièce de résistance.

In conclusion, Ambassador Khan thanked all of the participants for joining in the celebration of Pakistan’s rich culture and applauded the invaluable role of THIS for Diplomats in creating a global family of diplomats, fostering connections, and bringing people together to celebrate diverse cultures. “Peace, security, and prosperity are our shared responsibility,” he said.

(Elaine Pasquini is a freelance journalist. Her reports appear in the Washington Report on Middle East Affairs and Nuze.Ink.)