On 9 - 10 August 2025, the High Commissioner of Malaysia to Pakistan, H.E. Ambassador Dato’ Mohammad Azhar Bin Mazlan, participated in the Gilgit-Baltistan Silk Route Festival 2025, held at the scenic Mir Palace Apricot Gardens in Karimabad, Hunza. The two-day celebration, organised by Silk Road Enterprises and led by Prince Sheryar Khan, Ms. Sadaf Khalid Khan, and Mian Hashim Masood, attracted almost 3,000 participants including national and international dignitaries, tourism stakeholders, and local communities to celebrate the region’s trade, tourism, and cultural heritage along the historic Silk Route.
During the event, Ambassador Dato’ Azhar highlighted that Malaysian tourists are among the largest group of foreign visitors to Gilgit-Baltistan, particularly drawn to the breathtaking beauty of Hunza, the Karakoram Highway, and Pakistan’s famed mountain ranges. He further noted that Hunza remains a popular destination for Malaysians seeking adventure, nature, and cultural immersion, and expressed confidence that tourism links between Malaysia and Pakistan will continue to grow stronger with improved connectivity and promotion.
As part of the programme, the High Commission of Malaysia hosted a cultural pavilion and live-kitchen, serving traditional Malaysian delicacies including Pulut Inti (glutinous rice with palm sugar and coconut), Cucur Sayur (vegetable fritters), and Teh Tarik (pulled tea), which received enthusiastic response from visitors. The pavilion and the High Commissioner also promoted Visit Malaysia Year 2026 (VMY2026), which targets 35 million foreign visitors. The Government of Malaysia has planned a year-long calendar of tourism-related activities from January to December 2026, showcasing Malaysia’s diverse attractions and positioning the country as a premier global travel destination.
The opening ceremony was graced by Chief Guest Major General Syed Imtiaz Gillani and attended by distinguished guests including MD PTDC Mr. Aftab ur Rehman Rana, GB Tourism’s Mr. Zameer Abbass, Balochistan Tourism’s Mr. Waqar Shah, and Australia’s Deputy High Commissioner Ms. Nicole Guihot.
The festival also featured artisan exhibitions, women entrepreneurs, traditional GB cuisines, and cultural showcases. It concluded with an award ceremony presented together with Mir of Hunza Ghazanfar Khan and Rani Sahiba, reinforcing the spirit of cultural exchange and people-to-people connectivity between Malaysia, Pakistan, and the broader Silk Route region.
