Iran is opening up a new era of people to people contact with brotherly Pakistan, Cultural Consular Sahib Fossool said in a news conference held here at the Iranian Cultural Consulate on Wednesday.
A beginning is being made with invitation to a group of 40 cultural seekers from Pakistan to see the magnificent ruins of ancient cities, glorious mosques and mausoleums of his country, the Counsellor added. Azhar Sayeed Butt, vice-president of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industries will lead the Cultural Caravan to Iran. It will comprise of businessmen, traders and pilgrims, and leave for Zahidan on April 6.
The delegation would board a bus at Quetta. Another bus would wait at Zahidan to welcome the Pakistani guests. The 40-member delegation would stay in Iran for 12 days, as guests of Islamic Cultural and Religious organisation as well as the Iranian Cultural, Handicraft and Tourism Organisation.
The Pakistani delegation would be received also by vice-chancellors of Universities in many Iranian cities. Possibly, the caravan will have the opportunity to call on Iranian President, Ahmadnijad, as well as a few ministers.
Fossool pointed to a number of attractions in his country, which lies in the middle of Silk Road. There were also affinities of religion, culture, customs, habit and food between the two countries. 'An Irani citizen visiting Pakistan feels at home, here, and gobbles up kinoo, sangtra and mangoes. Pakistani fruits were popular in his country. And one could get in Iran as one would in Pakistan.
Besides visiting Isfahan, Mashhad, Tabrix, Tehran, Qum, Shira, Yezd, trade centres and bazaars full of territorial variety of its handcrafts, the delegation would also see centres of gas, petroleum and steel industries.
Although the aim of sponsoring a cultural caravan from Pakistan is to deepen the brotherly relations the Consular mentioned that his country has more than culture to offer to visitors. The counsellor said recently, Iranian President Mohammad Ahmadnijad extended invitation to tourists from western countries to come and see nuclear plants of his country.