ISLAMABAD: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has decided to launch direct flights to Iraq and Syria, with two flights a week planned, the CEO of the national flag carrier, Arshad Malik, has said.

Between September 17-24 this year, PIA operated special flights to Baghdad and Najaf in Iraq and Damascus in Syria to facilitate people visiting the two Arab countries for religious pilgrimages. 

During an August visit to Islamabad of the Iraqi foreign minister, the two countries discussed how Pakistan could facilitate pilgrims to the Arab country. 

“Our [special] flight operations [to Iraq and Syria] were very successful,” Malik said. “Now PIA administration has decided to operate two weekly flights for Syria, Damascus ,and from 30th October we are going to start flights for Najaf [Iraq].”

“Damascus, Baghdad and Najaf would be new routes for PIA.”

بغداد اور دمشق کے مقامات مقدسہ کے زائرین کے لیے براہ راست پروازوں کا تجربہ بیحد کامیاب رہا۔ اب نجف اشرف سمیت ان روٹس پر ہفتے میں دو دن براہ راست پروازوں کے سلسلے کو مستقل بنیادوں پر جاری رکھا جائے گا۔
سی ای اور ایئرمارشل ریٹائرڈ ارشد ملک کی زائرین کے لیے خوشخبری @Official_PIA pic.twitter.com/KebWZj1zOg

— راعی Akram (@AkramRaee) October 13, 2021

The Iraqi and Syrian cities of Najaf, Karabala and Damascus are significant for Shiites around the world, many of whom travel there during the first two months of the lunar Islamic calendar for religious reasons.

Earlier this week on October 12, Oman Airport welcomed PIA in an augural flight from Islamabad to Salallah.

Alhamdolillah,# PIA conducted in-augural flight from Isd to Salallah(Oman), 2nd dest in Oman,would afford support & assistance to Pakistanis living of that area.Water cannon salute presented to PIA, thx to HE Ahsan Waggan for his patronage alongside dedication of PIA team pic.twitter.com/Q71MBBTrGT

— Air Marshal Arshad Malik (@amarshadmalik) October 12, 2021