Pakistani companies attend first-ever Al Hamba Festival to attract mango imports from Qatar

1 / 2
This photo shows the general view of the 10-day Al Hamba Festival, offering a wide variety of Pakistani mangoes, at Souq Waqif in Doha on June 27, 2024. (Photo courtesy: Qatar Tribune)
2 / 2
Pakistan’s Ambassador to Qatar, Muhammad Aejaz, inspects mangoes after inaugurating the 10-day Al Hamba Festival, offering a wide variety of Pakistani mangoes, at Souq Waqif in Doha on June 27, 2024. (Photo courtesy: Qatar Tribune)
Short Url
Updated 30 June 2024
Follow

Pakistani companies attend first-ever Al Hamba Festival to attract mango imports from Qatar

  • Event kicked off on Thursday and will go on until July 6, has been organized by embassy of Pakistan in Doha
  • Pakistan is world’s fourth-largest mango producer and agriculture accounts for almost a quarter of its GDP

ISLAMABAD: The ongoing first-ever Al Hamba Festival in the Qatari capital of Doha is celebrating the “richness” of Pakistani mangoes with the hope of attracting Qatari importers to place orders for mangoes and other agricultural produce from the South Asian country, state media reported on Sunday.
Pakistan is the world’s fourth-largest mango producer and agriculture accounts for almost a quarter of its GDP. But Pakistani mangoes have faced export challenges in recent years due to concerns over adverse weather and pests and fruit flies that can threaten the agricultural standards of importing countries.
To attract Qatari importers, several popular varieties of mangoes such as Sidhri, Chaunsa, Safeed Chaunsa, Anwar Ratol and Duseri have been put up on display at the Al Hamba Festival being held at Souq Waqif.
The event, which kicked off on Thursday and will go on until July 6, has been organized by the embassy of Pakistan in Doha in collaboration with the Celebrations Organizing Committee of the Private Engineering Office and features over 43 companies and 100 outlets.
“First-ever Al Hamba Festival is an opportunity to savor a variety of the finest Pakistani mangoes besides promoting cultural exchange between the two nations through the universal language of food,” the state-run APP news agency quoted Pakistan’s Ambassador to Qatar, Muhammad Aejaz, as saying.
“The Al Hamba Festival promises to be a memorable event for families and food enthusiasts, offering a rich tapestry of flavors and cultural experiences.”
The envoy expressed confidence that the event would “attract importers in Qatar to place orders not only for mangoes, but for other agricultural produce including rice, food products and other fruit.”
The festival is hosting a variety of exhibitors, including importers, retailers, and exporters showcasing processed foods and dry mangoes. Notable participants include Zuhair Impex, Akin Foods, Kashan Trader’s, Friday Fresh Pvt Ltd, Naurus Pvt Ltd, Pak Khyber Traders, Aaj Enterprises, Al Hamad Agro Chemicals and Swat International Trading Company. Major retail stores participating include Al Baladi Hypermarket, Marza Hypermarket, Sunder Mart and Al Hemaliya Trading.
In addition to mangoes, the festival also features seasonal fruits like falsa, jamun, and peaches. Various Pakistani cuisine are another highlight of the festival with many local restaurants and cafés offering a diverse menu to showcase the culinary heritage of Pakistan.


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

Updated 13 December 2025
Follow

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.