KARACHI: An amusement park in Pakistan’s coastal city of Karachi has allocated a day for men only.
“When we opened the park, we were receiving requests from men on social media to allow them entry, which prompted us to decide to give them a chance to come and enjoy,” Askari Amusement Park spokeswoman Anum Feroz told Arab News. “For us, men also matter.”
Men have welcomed “Man Day” at the amusement park. “I’m happy,” said Noman Mahmud. “I wish it was Sunday instead of Monday, but I’ll try to make it.”
Askari opened its doors on the first day of Eid, with rides that have never before been seen in Pakistan, said Feroz.
The rides include a swing that freefalls 140 feet, a 170-foot air-conditioned Ferris wheel, a three-loop rollercoaster, a 90-foot pendulum that revolves 360 degrees, and a slingshot that slings 120 feet up in the air.
“More than 40 other rides are being installed,” said Feroz. “Askari has also installed an indoor arcade lounge with a virtual-reality area, a high-end food court, more than five acres of parking space, and much more.”
In its first six days, the amusement park accommodated more than 500,000 people.
Pakistani amusement park announces men-only day
Pakistani amusement park announces men-only day
- Build on a land once was fruits and veritable market – then known as Sabzi mandi and now called Purani (old) Sabzi mandi – Askari park was turned into amusement park and opened for public on Eid al-Fitr
- Bachelor youths of Karachi have rejoiced the announcement, saying ‘only their day’ will allow them to enjoy freely
Islamabad allows UK’s Norse Atlantic to operate flights to Pakistan
- The development comes days after Pakistan privatized national airline PIA, which currently flies to Manchester
- Norse Atlantic will operate direct flights from London, Manchester and Birmingham to Islamabad, minister says
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has allowed Britain’s Norse Atlantic to operate flights to the South Asian country, the Pakistani defense minister announced late Thursday, days after privatization of the state-run Pakistan International Airlines (PIA).
The UK is home to over 1.6 million Pakistanis. PIA had resumed its flight operations to the UK in October last year after Britain lifted a ban on Pakistani carriers in July, nearly half a decade after grounding them over a pilot licensing scandal.
The Pakistani airline, which began operating three weekly flights to Manchester, is set to operate direct flights to London in March, its spokesperson confirmed late last month, following the privatization of the debt-ridden carrier.
In a post on X late Thursday, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif announced the South Asian country approved the designation of Norse Atlantic, which will operate direct flights from London, Manchester and Birmingham to the Pakistani capital of Islamabad.
“The increase in operations of international airlines to Pakistan will promote a competitive environment leading to world class service and balance in fares,” he said.
Meanwhile, PIA will operate London flights from Heathrow Airport’s Terminal 4, which the airline said is recognized as one of its most modern terminals.
“London was PIA’s very first international destination and remains one of its most important and attractive routes,” the airline spokesperson said. ““Starting Mar. 29, PIA will operate four weekly flights from Islamabad to London.”
Pakistan’s government succeeded in its efforts to privatize PIA on Dec. 23, when a consortium, led by Arif Habib Group, secured a 75 percent stake in the airline for Rs135 billion ($482 million) after several rounds of bidding, valuing the airline at Rs180 billion ($643 million).
The sale marked Pakistan’s most aggressive attempt in decades to reform the debt-ridden national airline, which had accumulated more than $2.8 billion in financial losses. The government said it would end decades of state-funded bailouts and help revive the airline.
