ISLAMABAD: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) on Thursday became the first international air passenger carrier to send a regular flight to Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates, said an official statement.
The flight left the Peshawar airport earlier in the day and transported 168 passengers to their destination in the afternoon.
The official statement said PIA decided to launch regular flights to Fujairah on the special request of the ruler of the emirate.
"The royal family of Fujairah and other high-ranking officials welcomed the PIA flight and the airline's chief executive officer Air Marshal Arshad Malik," the statement added. "A traditional celebratory dance was also performed at the airport."
PIA passengers will go through a special 15-minute immigration process in Fujairah.
They will also get special buses that will transport them to other places in the UAE without charging them anything.
PIA becomes first international air carrier to launch regular flights to UAE's Fujairah
https://arab.news/2ayy7
PIA becomes first international air carrier to launch regular flights to UAE's Fujairah
- The first PIA flight transported 168 passengers from Peshawar to the new destination in the UAE
- The airline decided to launch regular flights to Fujairah on the request of the ruler of the emirate
Pakistan engages Saudi Arabia, China in bid to ease surging Middle East tensions
- Pakistan’s foreign minister stresses need for de-escalation in conversations with Chinese, Saudi counterparts
- Tensions in the Middle East continue to remain high as conflict between US, Israel and Iran intensifies
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar spoke to the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia and China on Tuesday, stressing the importance of diplomatic engagement to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East as the Iran war intensifies.
Pakistan has constantly engaged regional countries in efforts to broker a ceasefire in the Middle East, after the US and Isreal launched coordinated strikes against Iran on Feb. 28.
Iran launched fresh attacks on Gulf countries on Tuesday morning, where it has targeted US military bases in recent weeks. In addition to firing missiles and drones at Israel and American bases in the region, Iran has also been targeting energy infrastructure which, combined with its stranglehold on the Strait of Hormuz, has sent oil prices soaring worldwide.
Dar spoke to Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan to discuss developments in the Middle East and ongoing deliberations at the UN Security Council, Pakistan’s foreign office said in a statement.
“DPM/FM shared Pakistan’s perspective, underscoring the importance of continued coordination and diplomatic engagement to support de-escalation and promote peace and stability across the region and beyond,” the statement said.
Dar, who also serves as Pakistan’s foreign minister, spoke to Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi over the telephone separately. The two discussed the evolving regional situation and broader global developments.
Dar underscored the need to ease tensions in the Middle East and the wider region during the conversation, the foreign office said.
Yi appreciated Pakistan’s constructive efforts aimed at promoting de-escalation and stability in the region, it added.
“The two leaders stressed the importance of de-escalation and emphasized the need to pursue dialogue and diplomacy in accordance with the principles of the UN Charter,” the foreign office’s statement said.
The conflict in the Middle East has hit Pakistan hard as well, forcing Islamabad to hike petrol and diesel prices by Rs55 per liter last Friday.
Pakistan’s government has also announced a set of austerity measures, which include closing schools and cutting down on government expenditures, as it evaluates petrol stocks and looks for alternative supply routes.
