Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar has said that Pakistan and Tajikistan enjoy brotherly relations and it’s the right time to promote these relations on durable lines.

He was talking to Tajikistan’s Ambassador to Pakistan Ismatullo Nasredin who called on him at his office on February 26 and discussed strengthening of relations and other matters of mutual interest, according to The Nation (Pakistani English-language daily newspaper).

Usman Buzdar said that Pakistan is the most attractive tourist-destination because of its rich cultural diversity and Punjab enjoys the unique position as tourist attractions are scattered in the vast expanse of Thal, Cholistan, Pothohar and other areas.  He emphasized that cultural heritage of the Punjab province is centuries-old and very unique in the whole world.

The Punjab government has also introduced different tourism promotion projects and cooperation will also be expanded with Tajikistan in agriculture and other sectors, he informed.

Similarly, people-to-people contacts will be enhanced and cultural exchange will give a new dimension to the bilateral relations.  The exchange of trade delegations will further promote economic relations, added Usman Buzdar.

Ismatullo Nasredin, for his part, said cultural and historic heritage of Lahore is unique and expressed the desired to promote trade and economic cooperation with the province of Punjab.

Tajikistan’s Honorary Consul General Nazir Ahmed Paracha, Chairman P&D, CEO PBIT and others were also present, The Nation said.

Punjab is Pakistan's most populous province.  Forming the bulk of the transnational Punjab region, it is bordered by the Pakistani provinces of Sindh, Balochistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the enclave of Islamabad, and Azad Kashmir.  It also shares borders with the Indian states of Punjab, Rajasthan, and the Indian-administered territory of Jammu and Kashmir.  The capital is Lahore, a cultural, historical, economic and cosmopolitan center of Pakistan where the country's cinema industry, and much of its fashion industry are based.

Punjab has the largest economy in Pakistan, contributing most to the national GDP.  It is especially dominant in the service and agriculture sectors of Pakistan's economy.

The province is home to several historical sites, including the Shalimar Gardens, the Lahore Fort, the Badshahi Mosque, the Rohtas Fort and the ruins of the ancient city of Harrapa. 

The Khewra Salt Mine is a tourist attraction. Tours are accompanied by guides as the mine itself is very large and the complex interconnected passages are like a maze. There is a small but beautiful mosque inside the mine made from salt stone