Pakistan Hosts 24th International Arab Tourism & Hajj-Umrah Expo

Lahore — Pakistan has taken a major step toward enhancing its religious tourism industry with the inauguration of the 24th International Arab Tourism and Hajj & Umrah Exhibition. The event, organized by the International Forum for Religious Tourism, was inaugurated by Chairman Pakistan Ulema Council Allama Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi and Governor Punjab Sardar Saleem Haider.

The exhibition, which brings together representatives from various Islamic nations, aims to strengthen international cooperation in religious tourism and promote Pakistan as a safe, welcoming destination for pilgrims and tourists alike.

In his keynote address, Allama Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi highlighted the growing importance of structured religious tourism and urged for system reforms to ensure safer, more organized pilgrimages to destinations like Iran and Iraq.

“Millions of Pakistanis travel for Hajj, Umrah, and Ziyarat every year. Similarly, Pakistan hosts numerous religious heritage sites from various faiths, attracting global interest,” he noted.

He advocated for applying the same regulatory standards used for Hajj and Umrah to pilgrimages to Iran and Iraq to avoid incidents involving missing pilgrims.

Speaking at the ceremony, Governor Saleem Haider emphasized the event’s significance in transforming Pakistan into a global hub for religious tourism.

“This exhibition not only promotes religious travel to and from Pakistan, but it also helps counter hostile narratives by showcasing the nation’s peaceful and hospitable image,” he said.

He invited visitors, particularly from Arab and Muslim countries, to explore Pakistan’s diverse sacred sites and rich cultural heritage

Ameenullah Tahir, representative of the International Religious Tourism Council, expressed the council’s commitment to hosting similar exhibitions across Pakistan.

“Our goal is to build enduring partnerships between Pakistani tourism bodies and counterparts in the Arab and Islamic world. Practical measures are being developed to enhance collaboration and cross-border religious travel,” he shared.

The event was also attended by Abdul Kareem Hasni and other tourism industry leaders and ministry officials from the Middle East and North Africa.

Thank you for reading! For comprehensive news coverage and exclusive stories, visit SafartiTarjuman.com