Economic Cooperation Organization chief in Islamabad on debut Pakistan visit

Secretary general of the Economic Cooperation Organisation, Dr. Hadi Soleimanpour, in a meeting with Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua in Islamabad on Wednesday. (Photo by Foreign Office)
Updated 13 March 2019
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Economic Cooperation Organization chief in Islamabad on debut Pakistan visit

  • Secretary general Dr. Hadi Soleimanpour met Pakistani Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua on Wednesday
  • Scheduled to meet Pakistani president, prime minister, foreign minister during his trip

ISLAMABAD: The secretary general of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), a ten-member regional trade body, started his inaugural visit to Pakistan with a meeting with Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua in Islamabad on Wednesday.

The ECO was established in 1984 in Tehran by the leaders of Iran, Pakistan and Turkey. Its other members are Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

“Issues of mutual interests were discussed,” the spokesman for the Pakistani foreign ministry said in a Twitter post about Dr. Hadi Soleimanpour’s meeting with Janjua.

“This is his [Soleimanpour] first visit to Pakistan since he assumed the office as the Secretary General of the Organization in August last year,” the foreign ministry had said in a statement on Tuesday.

The ECO secretary general will call on President Dr. Arif Alvi, Prime Minister Imran Khan and Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and also meet the ministers for information and planning.

“He will also discuss issues related to ECO including cultural cooperation among ECO Member countries, infrastructure development agenda of ECO, regional connectivity and trade liberalization with the Federal Ministers of Information, Finance, Planning, Development & Reforms and Communication,” the foreign office's Tuesday statement said.

The visiting dignitary is also scheduled to meet the prime minister’s adviser for commerce and the chairman of the Board of Investment.


Pakistan Airports Authority reports ‘historic’ twin-engine aircraft landing in Lahore

Updated 13 December 2025
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Pakistan Airports Authority reports ‘historic’ twin-engine aircraft landing in Lahore

  • Twin-engine aircraft are usually larger, heavier and require better airport infrastructure, navigation systems to land
  • Pakistan Airports Authority says landing reflects its commitment to enhance aviation sector, strengthen infrastructure

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) announced on Saturday that the New General Aviation Aerodrome achieved a significant milestone when it handled the landing of a twin-engine aircraft. 

A twin-engine aircraft has two engines that provide it redundancy and increased performance compared to single-engine counterparts. These aircraft range from small twin-engine propeller planes to large commercial jetliners. The presence of multiple engines enhances safety by allowing the aircraft to continue flying in the event of an engine failure.

However, twin-engine aircraft are usually larger, heavier and more complex than single-engine planes. They require advanced airport infrastructure such as better runways, navigation systems and air traffic coordination. 

“The New General Aviation Aerodrome, Lahore achieved another significant operational milestone today with the successful landing of a twin-engine aircraft, following the recent arrival of a single-engine aircraft,” the PAA said in a statement. 

It said the flight was also boarded by Air Vice Marshal Zeeshan Saeed, the director general of the PAA. The move reflected “strong institutional confidence” in the aerodrome’s safety standards, operational capability, and overall readiness, it added. 

“The landing was conducted with exceptional precision and professionalism, demonstrating the aerodrome’s robust operational framework, technical preparedness, and effective airside coordination in accordance with contemporary aviation requirements,” the PAA said. 

It said the landing represented a “major advancement” in Pakistan’s general aviation sector and underscores the PAA’s commitment to enhancing regional aviation capacity, strengthening infrastructure and promoting excellence in aviation development.