The Center for Oriental Literature of Russian State Library hosted the exhibition "Made in Pakistan: Trifles of everyday life," which presente...d the photographs made by the editor of RIA Novosti, Sergey Novikov, during his trip to this country. Raja Abdul Kayyum the Press Counsellor of the Embassy of the Islamic republic of Pakistan in Russia, who attended the ceremony, gave an exclusive interview to Vera Kuznetsova, a RIA.Tourism correspondent.
- Mr. Kayyum, please tell us about your impressions of the exhibition. Which photos did you like most?
- First of all I want to thank the leading Russian news agency RIA Novosti for organizing this exhibition and the exhibition of Pakistani crafts . Such exhibitions are extremely useful. As you know, the relations between Pakistan and Russia are now becoming warmer, the countries are becoming closer. Such events are very important for people to learn more about Pakistani culture, the people of Pakistan, its life, art and crafts. I think this exhibition is a good step. I also think that this event will be the "first drop of rain," and the same exhibition, but only about Russia, its culture, its people, its values and life will be organized in Pakistan.
- Do you think the photographs that were selected for this exhibition, reflect the real life of Pakistan and its people?
- Of course! Pakistan is a large country with the population of more than 180 million people, and the selection of photos and handicrafts for this exhibition is very good. They can be called the best reflection of Pakistani life, they reflect the most interesting moments, but it is certainly not the whole Pakistan, because every town and every corner of the country have their own distinctive culture and crafts. Many civilizations and cultures have influenced the development of Pakistan, its culture even, for instance, the coloring of the fabric. You know that The Indus Valley Civilization is one of the oldest civilizations in the world, and its influence is very great. The development of culture of Pakistan was also influenced by the Greek civilization, then by Buddhism, and from the VIII onward with the spread of Islam, the Great Mughal Empire also had a great impact on the culture of Pakistan.
- Do you think it is a show of interest to Russian tourists? Will they, after seeing he pictures would be interested in visiting Pakistan? By the way, how do you assess the tourism industry of Pakistan? How many tourists visit the country and what are they mostly interested in?
- Yes, I believe in it. Moreover, I have noticed that more and more Russian citizens are coming to Pakistan, they are interested in our sights. In our country there are eight of the highest mountain peaks, with the single exception of Mount Everest. We have the most beautiful mountain areas in the world. We have a very diverse climate. There is a large desert (referring to the Great Thar Desert), that stretches along the coast line from Karachi to Gwadar. There are also pristine sandy beaches. We have everything! So between the two countries various kinds of touristic relations may be developed. I think you can draw attention to religious tourism. Besides, those Russians can come to us who are interested in hiking, including hiking in forests. They will be interested to see the ruins of Buddhist temples and Hindu temples, and pieces of Islamic architecture. I know that Russians are very well aware of our sights.
- What prevents the increase of Russian tourists visiting Pakistan?
- At the moment there are areas in Pakistan, which are not peaceful; however, they occupy a very small area. In most of the country there is no problem. There are excellent roads, good hotels, the people are very friendly and hospitable. Thus all the things necessary for the development of tourism are there. We need to promote our tourism opportunities, and we can do it with the help of the media, they can bring the right information to people to let them know about our sights. After all, if people do not know about them, they will not go. So I think that we have no problems in Russian-Pakistani relations in the area of tourism.
- Are you organizing a campaign to promote Pakistan as a tourist destination in Russia?
- I think you have started to do it just by organizing this exhibition, and we will continue this initiative. We hope that this process will not stall after this event.
- Is it hard to get a visa to visit Pakistan?
- Of course, any Russian can come to the embassy of Pakistan and apply for a visa. Of course, this is some kind of bureaucratic procedure, but it does not present any difficulties. I think it will take to a maximum of 2-3 weeks.
- Tourists from which countries are the most frequent visitors of Pakistan?
- Tourists come to us from all over the world. For example, many people from Britain and the United States of the Pakistani origin like to come home. Indian tourists also like to come to our country because ancient Hindu temples are in our country. Many biologists, botanists and zoologists visit our country. Piligrims are also one of the most important categories of tourists, attracted by the numerous temples, including the Sikh temples. Thus, the great variety of tourists with different interests and needs come to our country.APS
- Mr. Kayyum, please tell us about your impressions of the exhibition. Which photos did you like most?
- First of all I want to thank the leading Russian news agency RIA Novosti for organizing this exhibition and the exhibition of Pakistani crafts . Such exhibitions are extremely useful. As you know, the relations between Pakistan and Russia are now becoming warmer, the countries are becoming closer. Such events are very important for people to learn more about Pakistani culture, the people of Pakistan, its life, art and crafts. I think this exhibition is a good step. I also think that this event will be the "first drop of rain," and the same exhibition, but only about Russia, its culture, its people, its values and life will be organized in Pakistan.
- Do you think the photographs that were selected for this exhibition, reflect the real life of Pakistan and its people?
- Of course! Pakistan is a large country with the population of more than 180 million people, and the selection of photos and handicrafts for this exhibition is very good. They can be called the best reflection of Pakistani life, they reflect the most interesting moments, but it is certainly not the whole Pakistan, because every town and every corner of the country have their own distinctive culture and crafts. Many civilizations and cultures have influenced the development of Pakistan, its culture even, for instance, the coloring of the fabric. You know that The Indus Valley Civilization is one of the oldest civilizations in the world, and its influence is very great. The development of culture of Pakistan was also influenced by the Greek civilization, then by Buddhism, and from the VIII onward with the spread of Islam, the Great Mughal Empire also had a great impact on the culture of Pakistan.
- Do you think it is a show of interest to Russian tourists? Will they, after seeing he pictures would be interested in visiting Pakistan? By the way, how do you assess the tourism industry of Pakistan? How many tourists visit the country and what are they mostly interested in?
- Yes, I believe in it. Moreover, I have noticed that more and more Russian citizens are coming to Pakistan, they are interested in our sights. In our country there are eight of the highest mountain peaks, with the single exception of Mount Everest. We have the most beautiful mountain areas in the world. We have a very diverse climate. There is a large desert (referring to the Great Thar Desert), that stretches along the coast line from Karachi to Gwadar. There are also pristine sandy beaches. We have everything! So between the two countries various kinds of touristic relations may be developed. I think you can draw attention to religious tourism. Besides, those Russians can come to us who are interested in hiking, including hiking in forests. They will be interested to see the ruins of Buddhist temples and Hindu temples, and pieces of Islamic architecture. I know that Russians are very well aware of our sights.
- What prevents the increase of Russian tourists visiting Pakistan?
- At the moment there are areas in Pakistan, which are not peaceful; however, they occupy a very small area. In most of the country there is no problem. There are excellent roads, good hotels, the people are very friendly and hospitable. Thus all the things necessary for the development of tourism are there. We need to promote our tourism opportunities, and we can do it with the help of the media, they can bring the right information to people to let them know about our sights. After all, if people do not know about them, they will not go. So I think that we have no problems in Russian-Pakistani relations in the area of tourism.
- Are you organizing a campaign to promote Pakistan as a tourist destination in Russia?
- I think you have started to do it just by organizing this exhibition, and we will continue this initiative. We hope that this process will not stall after this event.
- Is it hard to get a visa to visit Pakistan?
- Of course, any Russian can come to the embassy of Pakistan and apply for a visa. Of course, this is some kind of bureaucratic procedure, but it does not present any difficulties. I think it will take to a maximum of 2-3 weeks.
- Tourists from which countries are the most frequent visitors of Pakistan?
- Tourists come to us from all over the world. For example, many people from Britain and the United States of the Pakistani origin like to come home. Indian tourists also like to come to our country because ancient Hindu temples are in our country. Many biologists, botanists and zoologists visit our country. Piligrims are also one of the most important categories of tourists, attracted by the numerous temples, including the Sikh temples. Thus, the great variety of tourists with different interests and needs come to our country.APS