The International Silk Route Festival 2026 commenced at the Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA), Islamabad, bringing together representatives from government, diplomacy, tourism, business and international delegations to strengthen regional cooperation through tourism, trade and cultural exchange.
Organised by Silk Route Enterprises in collaboration with the Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC), under the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination, provincial tourism departments and private-sector stakeholders, the festival aims to revive the legacy of the historic Silk Route and promote Pakistan’s connections with regional and international partners.
Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Tourism and chief guest at the opening ceremony, highlighted Pakistan’s potential for tourism, trade and investment across the Silk Route region. He appreciated the organisers’ efforts and proposed establishing a dedicated task force to strengthen regional cooperation through coordinated engagement among government institutions, businesses and international partners.
Aftab ur Rehman Rana, Managing Director of PTDC, emphasised Pakistan’s diverse tourism attractions, rich cultural heritage and strategic geographical position. He highlighted the importance of international tourism cooperation in attracting visitors, expanding economic opportunities and building stronger cultural and commercial partnerships.
Festival organisers Sadaf Khalid, Mian Hashim Masood and Prince Shehryar Khan, directors of Silk Route Enterprises, welcomed the distinguished guests and international delegations. They highlighted the festival’s vision of reconnecting Pakistan with Central Asian countries and the wider international community through tourism, trade and cultural exchange.
The participation of diplomatic representatives and international delegates from Sri Lanka and Malaysia added an international dimension to the event, creating opportunities to promote cross-cultural understanding and strengthen people-to-people connections.
The festival also highlights the potential of cultural events to support destination marketing, encourage international engagement and showcase Pakistan’s heritage to a wider audience. By bringing together tourism stakeholders, public institutions and private-sector representatives, such initiatives can help develop new partnerships and encourage greater interest in the country’s destinations, traditions and visitor experiences.
Pakistan’s geographical position along historic regional trade and travel routes provides an important foundation for strengthening tourism links with neighbouring regions. Continued collaboration, improved connectivity and coordinated promotion could help translate this heritage into opportunities for tourism growth and economic cooperation.
The opening of the International Silk Route Festival 2026 reinforces the importance of connecting nations through shared heritage, cultural understanding and tourism, while positioning Pakistan as a potential hub for regional exchange.
