Saudia to resume Pakistan flights in November

In this photo shared by Saudi Arabia's national flag carrier on October 14, 2020, Saudia's new Dreamliner aircraft is seen at the Riyadh airport. (Photo courtesy: Saudia)
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Updated 24 October 2020
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Saudia to resume Pakistan flights in November

  • Saudia flights will resume flights to five Pakistani ports — Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Multan and Peshawar
  • Saudi Interior Ministry said it will end all restrictions on air, land and sea transport next year

DUBAI: Saudi Arabia’s national carrier Saudia announced on Friday evening it will resume flights to 33 international destinations, including five Pakistani cities, in November.

The airline resumed international flights to 20 destinations after months of travel disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic, when authorities partially lifted the suspension of international flights on Sept. 15.

Saudia said the flights will be available to passengers who are permitted to travel under Saudi Arabia’s coronavirus safety measures. The Pakistani ports it will resume travel to are Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Multan and Peshawar.

Other destinations include major international capitals across Europe, Asia and Africa.

Saudia travelers who are going to the US will only be able to fly to Washington.

The Saudi Interior Ministry said it will end all restrictions on air, land and sea transport next year.

Prior to the coronavirus pandemic, Saudia operated flights to more than 85 destinations worldwide.


Saudi company eyes multi-sector projects in Pakistan worth $200 million each — ministry

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Saudi company eyes multi-sector projects in Pakistan worth $200 million each — ministry

  • Delegation from Saudi firm Kyan explores investment in energy, mining, IT and agriculture
  • Talks come amid Pakistan’s push to attract Gulf capital and boost foreign investment inflows

ISLAMABAD: A Saudi company is exploring potential multi-sector investment projects in Pakistan with an estimated minimum value of $200 million per scheme, Pakistan’s ministry of information said on Wednesday.

The development comes as Pakistan seeks to attract increased foreign direct investment from Gulf countries, particularly Saudi Arabia, as part of efforts to stabilize its economy, improve investor confidence and expand industrial capacity. Saudi Arabia has in recent years pledged billions of dollars in potential investments across Pakistan’s mining, energy and infrastructure sectors, though several projects remain at exploratory or negotiation stages.

According to the ministry of Information, a delegation from Saudi firm Kyan visited Islamabad and expressed interest in investing in sectors including energy, mining, information technology, agriculture and livestock. The delegation participated in the “Indus AI Week” organized by the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication and held meetings with Federal Minister for Board of Investment Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh.

“The delegation shared proposals for various potential projects with an estimated minimum investment of USD 200 million for each project and also conveyed their interest in bringing additional Saudi investors to Pakistan,” the information ministry said. 

Welcoming the delegation, Sheikh highlighted Pakistan’s market size and geographic position.

“With a population of over 250 million, Pakistan represents a large and dynamic market,” the minister said, adding that the country’s location provides access to landlocked Central Asian states, making it an attractive hub for regional trade and investment.

The ministry statement said the Board of Investment offered facilitation through its Business Facilitation Center, which provides a single-window mechanism for investor approvals and coordination. Sheikh also assured the delegation of support in arranging meetings with the business community and visits to Special Economic Zones, where incentives include income tax and import duty exemptions.

The minister referred to recent engagements between Pakistani and Saudi officials and reiterated that both countries could work to unlock new avenues of bilateral investment and economic cooperation, according to the statement.

Saudi Arabia is among Pakistan’s largest sources of worker remittances and has emerged as a key partner in Islamabad’s efforts to secure external financing and long-term investment commitments in recent years.