Foreign Diplomats laud the tourism potential of Chakwal

  • February 19, 2024
The Islamabad and Chakwal Chambers of Commerce and Industry organized a cultural caravan of foreign diplomats to the district Chakwal to show them the tourism potential of the area. Diplomats from Azerbaijan, Egypt, Kyrgyzstan, Kenya, Iran, Norway, Nepal, the Philippines, and Uzbekistan were in the cultural caravan. Zafar Bakhtawari, former President ICCI, and Secretary General, UBG Pakistan also accompanied the caravan.

The caravan visited the University of Chakwal where Prof. Dr. Muhammad Bilal Khan, Vice Chancellor, and Dr. Samia Anwar of the Department of Archeology warmly welcomed them. They briefed the foreign diplomats about the historical and archeological sites of Chakwal that attract tourists worldwide.

The caravan also visited the Katas Raj Temples, which hold immense historical and religious significance. Prof. Dr. Muhammad Bilal Khan, Vice Chancellor, and Dr. Samia Anwar, Department of Archeology, University of Chakwal briefed the caravan about the history of the Katas Raj Temples, which are dedicated to Lord Shiva, surrounded by a beautiful pond and date back to the 6th century. The caravan was informed that these temples are one of the most important Hindu pilgrimage sites in Pakistan and members of the Hindu community from Pakistan and abroad visit this place every year as a part of their spiritual journey.

Qazi Muhammad Akbar, Group Leader of the Chakwal Chamber of Commerce and Industry organized a reception in honor of the cultural caravan at Kalar Kahar, which is another amazing tourist site in the area. Mian Khawar Saleem, a member of the Chakwal Chamber of Commerce hosted the lunch in honor of the cultural caravan.

Speaking on the occasion, Ahsan Bakhtawari, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce said that ICCI had already taken a delegation of foreign diplomats to Skardu last year, and this cultural caravan in collaboration with Chakwal Chamber of Commerce is a part of showing the foreign diplomats the wonderful tourist places of Chakwal to promote tourism in the area. He hoped that the foreign diplomats would encourage the people of their respective countries to visit Pakistan to see its real beauty and invest in its tourism infrastructure, which offers great investment opportunities to foreign investors.

Waqar Bakhtawari, President, Chakwal Chamber of Commerce said that the incidents of terrorism in Pakistan had affected the tourism industry. He said that with the efforts of armed forces and security agencies, Pakistan has now established peace and foreign tourists should visit Pakistan to take benefit of its tourism potential.

Prof. Dr. Muhammad Bilal Khan, Vice Chancellor, University of Chakwal said that his university organizes various programs to promote tourism in Chakwal and resolved that he would continue to promote this noble cause in the future.

The delegation members thanked the Islamabad and Chakwal Chambers of Commerce for organizing such a wonderful tour of Chakwal and said that it would always be a memorable tour for them as they have fully enjoyed it.