Author: Salah Uddin
Post-Hajj 2024 Flight Operation Launched: Emotional Farewell at King Abdulaziz International Airport Emotions soared in the departure lounge of King Abdulaziz International Airport as Pakistan initiated its post-Hajj 2024 flight operation. The farewell Tawaf at the Grand Mosque in Makkah marked the conclusion of a five-day spiritual journey for around 160,000 Pakistani pilgrims. On the first day of post-Hajj flights, 1,723 pilgrims embarked on their journey back to Pakistan, with flights scheduled for various destinations including Multan, Lahore, Islamabad, and Karachi. The departures were filled with emotional goodbyes as the pilgrims began their return journey. Notably, the flight operations included…
Iraq Requests Increase in Flights from Pakistan for Muharram-ul-Haram Iraq has sought an increase in flights from Pakistan during Muharram-ul-Haram, citing a rise in travelers during this religious month. Iraqi Airways has formally requested the Civil Aviation Authority of Pakistan to enhance flight frequencies to meet the demand of Zaireen traveling to Iraq for religious purposes. The CAA is currently considering Iraq’s request to accommodate the surge in pilgrims during Muharram-ul-Haram. In 2022, Pakistan and Iraq had agreed to start a ferry service between Basra and Karachi to facilitate Pakistani pilgrims visiting Iraq. This agreement was made during a meeting…
KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah highlighted the deep-rooted relationship between Pakistan and Turkiye during a traditional annual breakfast hosted by the Turkish Consul General in Karachi. The event was attended by federal and provincial ministers, government officials, members of the showbiz fraternity, and representatives from the navy and civil society. CG Turkiye Cemal Sangu welcomed the guests, emphasizing the celebration of taste and tradition that binds the two cultures together. Describing the event as a symphony of flavors and a testament to the enduring bond between the two nations, Sangu urged the guests to cherish the moment…
European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) refuses to lift ban on PIA In a recent European Union meeting, it was revealed that the ban on Pakistan International Airline (PIA) by EASA is due to the Civil Aviation Authority’s (CAA) poor performance. The European Commission criticized CAA for not taking necessary measures to meet international safety standards, resulting in the continuation of the ban on PIA. The commission highlighted the need for qualified professionals to be appointed in key positions within the CAA regulatory department. It was noted that the deployment of sub-standard flight inspectors was also a hindrance in lifting…
US Ambassador to Pakistan and Sindh Minister for Health Launch Initiative to Address Tuberculosis Crisis The US Ambassador to Pakistan, Donald Blome, and Sindh Minister for Health and Population, Dr. Azra Fazal Pechuho, have joined forces to tackle the rising issue of tuberculosis (TB) in Pakistan. With TB cases increasing by 42.5% in the last three years and 47,000 deaths reported in 2023, the government’s goal to eliminate the disease by 2035 faces challenges due to limited resources for screening and treatment. Funded by USAID, the Tuberculosis Local Organization Network (TB-LON) has been launched with a $9 million investment over…
Special Flight Successfully Lands Pakistani Students from Kyrgyzstan in Lahore Amid a tense situation in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, the first special flight carrying more than 180 Pakistani students has successfully landed at Allama Iqbal International Airport in Lahore. The flight KA-571 brought back the stranded students from the capital of Kyrgyzstan. Welcoming the returning students, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and senior airport officials were present at the airport. The Airport Manager, Nazir Ahmad Khan, confirmed that all arrangements for the special flight were complete. Separate immigration counters were set up for the passengers of the flight, and the Federal Investigation Agency…
Inspiring Collaboration: German Firms Urged to Provide Training and Apprenticeships in Pakistan Former Governor of the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), Ishrat Hussain, has called upon German companies operating in Pakistan to contribute to the country’s development by providing technical training and offering student apprenticeships. The initiative is part of a Business Networking Series launched under the German Consulate in Pakistan through the German Industry and Commerce (AHK) Pakistan Desk. At a recent meeting held at the Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OICCI), AHK members, stakeholders, and representatives of German companies in Pakistan discussed the importance of investing…
Exciting Developments in Aviation: Pakistan Set to Resume Flights to Europe and UK A high-level government delegation, led by the Secretary of Aviation, is heading to Brussels for a meeting with the European Safety Agency’s Safety Review Board on May 14. The delegation will present reports on civil aviation audits and PIA’s departments, meeting international standards. Following a successful Universal Security Audit by ICAO, Pakistan’s civil aviation aims to lift the ban on Pakistani airlines, including PIA, from flying to Europe and the UK after the EASA assessment. CAA sources are optimistic about the outcome and believe it could lead…