Pakistan has once again urged Iran to finalise the draft of the proposed Ziarat Policy to give a boost to religious tourism in both the countries.
A large number of people visit Iran every year to pay homage to sacred religious figures in the neighbouring country.
Islamabad had earlier forwarded the draft of the said policy to Tehran to boost tourism as well as bring the people of the two countries closer.
While talking to a delegation led by Iran's Deputy Minister of Islamic Culture and Relations Dr Hussain Rozba and Vice Minister for Culture Arab Asadi the other day, Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Mufti Abdul Shakoor spoke about his ministry's intention of establishing offices in Iran including in the Pakistan House.
He further stated that the government would facilitate pilgrims during their stay in Quetta and Taftan under the proposed policy.
Asadi on the occasion reiterated that the relations between the two countries were based on the common values, love and brotherhood.
He brushed aside an impression of division on the basis of sect or faith, and made it clear that there was no room for any division between the two countries on the basis of sectarianism.
Reciprocating, Dr Rozba said the cornerstone of Iran's foreign policy was to maintain cordial relations with the neighbouring countries.
He invited the minister to attend the conference being held in Iran to discuss the promotion of religious harmony and other common issues prevailing between the two countries.
The dignitaries also agreed to promote bilateral relations, interfaith harmony and cooperation in Hajj arrangements.
Iran, particularly, Mashhad is known for its spiritual appeal to millions of Muslims as it has the shrine of Imam Ali Raza (AS).
A large number of pilgrims from around the world visit the city each year. An estimate suggests some 0.7 million Pakistani pilgrims visit the holy shrine every year.
Likewise, Pakistan offers religious tourists from Iran and the rest of the world the perfect spots to visit and witness the divine colours of spirituality.
Shrine of Abdullah Shah Ghazi, Karachi, Sachal Sarmast, Khairpur, Lal Shahbaz Qalandar, Sehwan Sharif, Shrine of Data Ganj Bakhsh, Lahore, Khawaja Ghulam Farid, Mithan Kot, Rajanpur, Bahauddin Zakariya, Multan are some of the most visited shrines every year.
While people across the globe are drawn to Sufism, its influence is particularly strong in Pakistan. Sufis played a vital role in the spread of Islam in the sub-continent and are highly revered in the region. Not surprisingly, shrines of these mystics draw hundreds and thousands throughout the year, and opulent tributes are paid to them on their birth and death anniversaries annually.
Whatever your reason for visiting a shrine, whether it's soul searching, or prayer, it is without a doubt an experience to remember.
Here are some of the most frequented shrines in Pakistan:
Shrine of Abdullah Shah Ghazi, Karachi
Shrine of Sachal Sarmast, Khairpur
Shrine of Hazrat Shah Rukn-e-Alam, Multan
Shrine of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar, Sehwan Sharif
Shrine of Data Ganj Bakhsh, Lahore
The Tomb of Bibi Jawindi, Uch Sharif, Punjab
Shrine of Khawaja Ghulam Farid, Mithan Kot, Rajanpur
Shrine of Hazrat Bahauddin Zakariya, Multan
Hazrat Muhammad Shah Yusaf Gardezi, Multan
Tomb Of Shah Shamas Sabzwari, Multan.
Karachi District
- Abdullah Shah Ghazi, Clifton, Karachi
Thatta District
- Haji Turabi, Gujjo Village, National Highway
- Mai Makli, Makli
- Abdullah Shah Sahabi, Makli
- Pir Patho Debali, Pir Patho Village
- Shah Jamil Datar Girnari, Pir Patho Village
- Shah Inayat, Miranpur near Pir Patho Village
- Shah Murad Shah Sherazi, Makli
- Makhdoom Mohammad Hashim Thatvi, Makli
- Hazrat Magar Been, Village Jati
- Shah Aqeeq, Taluka Shah Bunder
Hyderabad District
- Makhdoom Fatehuddin Shah Jehanian
- Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai, Village Bhit Shah
- Makhdoom Nuh, Hala Town
- Syed Abdul Wahab Shah Jilani
- Hazrat Muhammad Shah Makki
- Shah Karim, Bulri Township
- Khawaja Abdul Rehman, Wasih Malukshah
Larkana District
- Syed Qasim Shah Bokhari
Dadu District
- Mohammad Usman Marwandi (Lal Shahbaz Qalander) Sehwan Sharif
- Makhdoom Bilawal Shaheed
- Shah Sadar Lakyari
- Sikander Shah Bodlo, Sehwan Sharif
- Naeeng Sharif
- Abdullah Shah Godrio, Maher Taluka
Sukkur District
- Shah Khairuddin Jilani
- Syed Rashid Shah Pir Pagaro, Pir Goth
- Fazil Shah, Village Ghosarji
- Nahro Shah, Ghotki
- Mubarak Shah, Village Adalpur, Ghotki Taluka
Hindu Shrines
- Kalan - Kalan, Rohri, Sukkur
- Sadh Bela, Sukkur
Nawab Shah District
- Asghar Ali Shah Jam Dattar
Khairpur District
- Abdul Wahab Faruqi (Sachal Sarmast), Darza
- Sultan Ibrahim Bin Adam
Badin District
- Khawaja Mohammad Zaman, Luari Sharif
- Syed Saman Sarkar, Panjrio Town
Sanghar District
- Makhdoom Shaheed Abdul Rahim Girohi, Girohri Sharif
- Mai Sohni and Mehiwal, Shadapur
Shikhapur District
- Makhdoom Abdul Ghafoor Humayuni
Tharparkar District
- Syed Razi Shah Lakyari, Nawankot Town
Jain Shrines
- Temple of Gori, Virawah Town, Tharparkar
- Bhodesar Temple, Nagarparkar Town, Tharparker
PUNJAB
Multan District
- Hazrat Bahauddin Zakaria
- Hazrat Abul Fateh Ruknuddin (Shah Rukn-e-Alam)
- Shamsuddin Sabzwari (Shams Tabrez)
- Mohammad Yusuf Gardezi
- Shaikh Abul Hassab (Musapak Shaheed)
- Shrine of Totla Mai
- Shah Ali Akbar
Bahawalpur District
- Muluk Shah
- Channar Pir, Cholistan
- Khawaja Noor Mohammad
- Mohkam Din, Khanqah Sharif
UCH Sharif
- Syed Jalaluddin Munir Shah Surkh Bukhari
- Hazrat Jalaluddin Bukhari (Makhdoom Jahanian Jahangasht)
- Shaikh Saifuddin Ghazrooni
- Syed Mohammad ghuos Jilani Hallabi
- Makhdoom Hazrat Bhawal Haleem
- Bibi Javindi
Dera Ghazi Khan
- Syed Ahmad Sultan (Sakhi Sarwar Sultan)
- Khawaja Farid, Mithankot
Lahore District
- Shaikh Ali Bin Usman Al-Hajveri (Data Ganj Bakhsh)
- Mir Mohammad (Mian Mir)
- Shah Hussain (and Madho Lal)
Sheikhupura District
- Sher Mohammad, Village Sharqpur
Qasur District
- Baba Bulhey Shah
Sahiwal District
- Sheikh Fariduddin Masud Ganj-e-Shakar (Baba Farid Shah Ganj), Pak Pattan
- Sakhi Ghulam Qadir , Pak Pattan
Sialkot District
- Syed Imam Ali Lahaq
Gujrat District
- Hazrat Shahdoula
Islamabad
- Shah Abdul Latif Kazmi (Barri Shah Latif)
Rawalpindi District
- Pir Mehar Ali Shah, Golra Sharif
Jhang District
- Sultan Bahu, Garh Maharaj Heer Ranja
Chakwal District
- Sheikh Abdul Kadir Jilani, Kallar Kahar
- Saidan Shah, Village Choa
Hindu Temples
- Temple at Katas, Chakwal
- Temple at Malkot, Chakwal
- Siv Ganga Temple, Malot, Chakwal
Sikh Shrines In Punjab
- Nankana Sahib, Sheikhupura District
- Panja Sahib, Hassanabdal, Attock District
- Rohri Sahib, Lahore District
- Gurdawara Arjun Singh, Lahore
- Samadhi of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, Lahore
BALUCHISTAN
Lasbela District
- Lahoot Sharif (Lahoot-i-Lamakan)
- Shah Bilal Noorani (Jeay Shah)
Khuzdar District
- Khalifa Mulli Muali, Kodak
Pishin District
- Masoom Baba Pir Lakha
Chagai District
- Pir Sultan Qaiser
Loralai District
- Mian Abdul Hakim (Nana Sahib), Dakki
Sibi District
- Baba Kharwari, Ziarat
Hindu Shrines
- Temple of Hinglaj, Lasbela
- Chander Coops, Lasbela
NORTH-WEST FRONTIER PROVINCE
- Rehman Baba, Peshawar
- Pir Baba, Swat
Buddhist Shrines of Gandhara
- Taxila
- Peshawar
- Charsadda
- Swat
- Gilgit-Hunza and Skardu