RIYADH: Pakistani Ambassador Umar Khan Alisherzai has strongly urged Saudi tourists to visit Pakistan to explore the unparalleled nature, scenic beauty and diversity of the old civilizations that enriched the cultural heritage of Pakistan. Alisherzai was speaking Saturday in Riyadh at a book release ceremony on Pakistan tourism. The envoy released a book in the Arabic language entitled “Pakistan – Through Its Seasons And Landscape,” by Yusuf Safarullah, a Madina-based journalist and photographer. Indian Ambassador Talmiz Ahmad, his wife Sunita Ahmad, and a number of other diplomats from Asia and Europe, Saudi businessmen and members of the Pakistani community were among those present on the occasion. Alisherzai said the book is a valuable contribution to the list of existing publications on Pakistan tourism. The 170-page book contains information on the kaleidoscopic landscape of Pakistan, which the envoy described as a window to the cultural and geographic diversity that the country has to offer to tourists from the Arab world. He however said that the toll on Pakistan tourism was significant following the US-led war on terrorism in neighboring Afghanistan. He said the international media projection of Muslim-Pakistan as a country that promotes extremism has dissuaded potential tourists from visiting his country. “It is rather unfortunate that Pakistan in recent years has become the victim of negative media projection. In the post 9/11 era, the international media in its zeal to find easy answers to complex phenomena branded every Muslim as a supporter of extremism,” he said. Reality is entirely different from the myth that international media has created about Pakistan; he said, adding that he hoped that Safarullah's book launched at the right time would help clear up misconceptions in Saudi society and other Arab countries. While explaining why Saudis should visit Pakistan as tourists, the envoy said that in a journey across the country one can see some of the world's highest mountain ranges, as well as large non-polar glaciers, the rich plains in Punjab, the rugged plateau of Baluchistan, the sprawling desert of Sindh and the beaches of Makran coast. “Pakistan's northern region has four out of the world's 14 highest peaks and 68 peaks over 7,000 meters high. The country is home to one of the oldest Neolithic sites in archaeology and Punjab's Khewra salt mine is the second largest salt mine in the world,” Alisherzai said. Safarullah in his presentation said the idea of writing a book on Pakistan tourism originated in 2008 when he was part of an official media delegation to that country. “I was amazed to discover the scenic beauty and the hospitable behavior of Pakisanis living in different regions such as the country's capital Islamabad, Lahore and the pristine city of Marri,” he said. He said he wanted to inform Saudis and Arab nationals about real situation in the country and the peaceful nature of the people. The book contains a collection of pictures that Safarullah took during his visit to Pakistan's various regions that highlight the country's archaeological and historical sites. “I took more than 3,000 photographs and the book took me nearly three months to write,” he said.He said Pakistan is a blessed country with natural beauty of rivers and mountains. The unique part of Pakistan is that people living in different parts of the country enjoy all four seasons at the same time. “This book presents the true picture of Pakistan, which negates the hype as perceived and reported by sections of the international media,” he said.
