ISLAMABAD, MAY 24 (DNA) – Ambassador of Uzbekistan Furqat Sidikov has highlighted the potential of his country in especially religious tourism adding Pakistani people were welcome to visit Uzbekistan and explore Uzbek potential.

He made these remarks while speaking during a conference held at the Uzbek embassy. Noted religious figures of Pakistan as well as members of civil society attended the conference.

Ambassadors of Central Asia, Azerbaijan, Russia and Belarus also attended the seminar.

Ambassador Furqatbek Sidikov highlighted Uzbekistan’s religious tourism potential through documentaries and presentations. He talked about various important places of Uzbekistan in various cities.

The ambassador particularly talked about potential of Bukhara in especially religious tourism. He also informed the audience about various religious sites located in the historical city of Samarkand.

It may be mentioned here that the Uzbek government early this year hosted a grand Ziyarah tourism conference in which delegates of over 120 countries participated.

The delegated besides attending the opening session of the conference, had a chance to visit various historical places such as Imam al Bukhari shrine, newly-established Imam al Bukhari Research Center, Registan  Complex; Arab Madrassa; Klan Minar; Oriental Bazar etc.

Uzbekistan is a must visit place particularly for those who really are interested in religious tourism and knowing about various historical and religious developments that took place in the region in difference periods.

The Uzbek government is keen to promote this kind of tourism for which it has taken a number of measures. The recently-launched bullet train from Tashkent to Samarkand and then Bukhara has greatly reduced distances.

Now, it takes on four hours to reach Bukhara from Tashkent. After this facility, number of tourists to especially Samrkand and Bukhara has increased manifold.=DNA