Latest news with #PakistanInternationalAirlines
Arab News
19 hours ago
- General
- Arab News
Pakistan concludes pre-Hajj flight operation with over 115,000 pilgrims flown to Saudi Arabia
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has successfully concluded its 33-day pre-Hajj flight operation, with more than 115,000 pilgrims transported to Saudi Arabia ahead of this year's pilgrimage, the state media reported on Saturday. The country arranges special Hajj flights annually to facilitate thousands of Pakistani Muslims traveling to the Kingdom for the pilgrimage. The operation involves both government and private schemes, as well as coordination with multiple airlines to ensure smooth transit. The final flight, PK-759 from Karachi, carrying 307 pilgrims, landed in Jeddah at 6:55 PM local time, the state-owned Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) news agency said. 'Under the Government Hajj Scheme, as many as 88,260 intending pilgrims arrived in Saudi Arabia via 342 flights from various cities of Pakistan,' APP quoted the religious affairs ministry spokesperson, Muhammad Umar Butt, as saying. 'Similarly, over 27,000 [pilgrims] arrived in the holy land under the Private Hajj Scheme,' he added. The Hajj flights were operated by a range of air carriers including Pakistan International Airlines, Saudi Airlines, SereneAir, Airblue and AirSial. The spokesperson said to support the pilgrims during the five key days of Hajj, the ministry has deployed approximately 470 coordinators, with each assigned to a group of 188 to 200 pilgrims. Each coordinator will remain with their designated group throughout the pilgrimage, helping its members during the journey from Mina to Arafat, Muzdalifah, Jamarat and back to Makkah. This year, Hajj rituals will commence on June 4, with the Day of Arafah on June 5, and Eid Al-Adha observed on June 6 in Saudi Arabia.
Gulf Today
a day ago
- Business
- Gulf Today
PIA resumes direct flights from Dubai to Pakistan's tourist spot Skardu
Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has resumed direct flights from Dubai to Skardu, the country's snow-clad mountains and tourist destination, with the first flight taking off on Friday (May 30), marking a significant development in promoting tourism to northern regions. PIA had started its international flight operations at Skardu Airport where the first flight, carrying 80 passengers, landed from Dubai on Aug.14, 2023. The direct flight service reduces travel time from over 20 hours by road via the Karakoram Highway to under three hours by air. The Pakistan's northern regions attract visitors year-round. To celebrate the occasion, a cake-cutting ceremony was held at the PIA office in Dubai, attended by Hussain Muhammad, Consul General. The event also welcomed members of a foreign tourist group travelling on the inaugural flight, underscoring the growing interest in Pakistan's scenic northern areas. Hussain Muhammad (third from right) with PIA officials during the ceremony in Dubai on Thursday. PIA Regional Manager Sarmad Aizaz and his team hosted the event, celebrating this significant step toward boosting tourism and strengthening people-to-people ties between the UAE and Pakistan. The move is part of PIA's broader expansion strategy to boost tourism in the country. Speaking on the occasion, Hussain said, 'This flight not only facilitates Pakistani expatriates but also opens the doors for more than 200 nationalities living in the UAE to discover the untouched beauty of Skardu and Gilgit-Baltistan.' Earlier, Pakistan's Ambassador to the UAE, Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, had invited residents to explore the unmatched natural beauty of the Northern Areas while availing the opportunity of taking direct flight to one of the world's most scenic destinations. Hussain Muhammad with PIA officials during the ceremony. Skardu is home to beautiful lakes, valleys, and amazing landscapes, added Ambassador Tirmizi. Located at 2,500 metres (8,200 feet) above the sea level, the city of wonders is home to lakes, waterfalls and springs. Deosai National Park, Upper Kachura Lake, Manthokha Waterfalls and Kharpocho Fort and Shangrila are the key areas of attractions for the tourists. Due to snow-covered and lofty mountains the temperatures normally go down below -20°C during the winter in Skardu, which is also a perfect destination for skiing lovers.
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
PIA resumes Dubai-Skardu direct flights from May 30
Listen to article Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is set to resume direct flights between Dubai and Skardu from Friday (today) offering travellers convenient access to one of Pakistan's most picturesque and remote northern destinations, APP reported. The seasonal flight service was formally announced during a ceremony held at PIA's Dubai office, attended by airline's Regional Manager Sarmad Aizas, and Pakistan's Consul General in Dubai, Hussain Muhammad. The event, which included a cake-cutting ceremony, was also attended by members of a foreign tourist group booked on the inaugural flight. Speaking on the occasion, the consul general said, 'This flight not only facilitates Pakistani expatriates but also opens the doors for more than 200 nationalities living in the UAE to discover the untouched beauty of Skardu and Gilgit-Baltistan.' Skardu, located around 570 kilometres north of Islamabad, is known for its dramatic mountain landscapes, including some of the world's highest peaks such as K2, as well as cold deserts and scenic valleys. The direct flight service reduces travel time from over 20 hours by road via the Karakoram Highway to under three hours by air. The region attracts visitors year-round. The summer season in Gilgit-Baltistan offers a respite from the Gulf heat, with temperatures typically remaining below 20°C. In winter, the region is transformed by snow, attracting tourists for its unique cold desert safari experience against the backdrop of snow-capped peaks. PIA officials expressed hope that the route would further promote tourism in the country's northern areas and provide greater travel convenience for overseas Pakistanis and international tourists alike.
India.com
3 days ago
- Business
- India.com
More bad news for bankrupt Pakistan, Shehbaz govt decides to sell one of country's biggest company, the company is...
More bad news for bankrupt Pakistan, Shehbaz govt decides to sell one of country's biggest company, the company is... After India's Operation Sindoor, Pakistan's condition seems to be worsening and now it's clearly visible too. One major sign of this is the upcoming sale of one of its biggest companies. The Pakistani government is preparing to sell its national airline, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), to private players and reports say that they have already started inviting bids for it. Originally, the last date to submit bids was June 3, but it has now been extended to June 19. This move gives potential buyers more time to prepare their proposals to take over PIA. The government wants more people to participate in the bidding process, which is why they have given a 15-day extension. This sale is considered one of the biggest and most important privatization steps in Pakistan's recent history. Govt offering to sell between 51-100 per cent of its ownership A senior official from Pakistan's Privatization Commission confirmed to The News that the deadline for submitting bids has been extended, but all other terms and conditions for the sale remain unchanged. The government is offering to sell between 51 per cent and 100 per cent of its ownership in PIA, along with full management control. When asked why the deadline was extended, the official said it was because of the Eid-ul-Adha holiday. This move comes as part of the government's plan to reduce its fiscal deficit, fix loss-making state-owned enterprises, and attract foreign investment. The privatization of PIA is also part of the broader economic reforms agreed upon with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) program. What was the plan earlier? To make the deal more attractive, the Pakistani government has introduced new incentives. These include GST (Goods and Services Tax) exemptions on new aircraft and removing PIA's loans from its balance sheet. The goal is to present potential buyers with a 'clean, zero-debt' balance sheet. A revised price benchmark for the deal may also be set soon. This new plan is much simpler and more straightforward compared to the previous failed attempt. Earlier, the government had offered 60 per cent of shares with an optional 15 per cent top-up. However, that plan failed mainly because of PIA's huge negative equity of 45 billion rupees and an 18 per cent GST on aircraft, which turned buyers away. EY Consulting LLC is advising the Privatization Commission on this sale. The government hopes to complete the process within this calendar year.
Express Tribune
5 days ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
Govt extends PIA privatisation deadline by two weeks
Listen to article The governemnt has extended the deadline for submitting Expressions of Interest (EOI) in purchasing Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) to June 19, the Ministry of Privatisation announced on Tuesday. The extension follows a need to accommodate the Eidul Adha holiday and the recent political and military tensions, including the Pakistan-India conflict, an official said. The move comes as Pakistan continues its efforts to privatise the debt-ridden national carrier to raise funds and streamline state-owned enterprises, as part of the country's agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) under a $7 billion programme. The original deadline for the submission of EOI was June 3. The ministry confirmed that all other terms and conditions would remain unchanged. Read more: Govt tightens PIA bidding terms In a bid to tackle its financial crisis, Pakistan is looking to sell a 51 to 100 per cent stake in PIA. However, past attempts to privatise the carrier have faced challenges. In the final bidding round last October, only one bid was submitted — a $36 million offer for a 60 per cent stake — far below the government's minimum price of $303 million. Bidders have cited concerns about policy continuity, inconsistent government communication, and unfavourable terms in the aviation sector as significant obstacles. PIA's privatisation has been under pressure for several years, with the airline's operations further impacted by a 2020 EU ban over safety concerns related to pilot licencing irregularities. Despite these challenges, the government remains committed to privatising PIA, along with other loss-making public entities, to reduce the financial burden on the national exchequer.
