ISLAMABAD: In a first, the United States and Pakistan conducted a two-week counterterrorism exercise at the National Counter Terrorism Center in Pabbi, Punjab province, to address the “perpetual terrorism threat” faced by both nations, the military’s media wing announced on Wednesday.
Last year, Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir met with US Central Command (CENTCOM) Chief General Michael Erik Kurilla in Washington where both military leaders emphasized the need to increase joint military training between the two countries.
The US and Pakistan have shared strong defense and security relations in the past, particularly during the Cold War after the 1979 Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. However, more recently, US officials criticized Pakistan for not sufficiently supporting their military efforts against the Taliban following the 9/11 attacks.
“The Infantry Rifle Company Exercise 2024 between Pakistan and the US has been conducted for the first time in the counter-terrorism domain,” the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement. “The two-week-long exercise commenced on June 29, 2024, at the National Counter Terrorism Center in Pabbi.”
The statement noted that Pakistani and US troops participated in the exercise with “efficiency and zeal,” displaying the highest standards of professional excellence.
The exercise focused on marksmanship skills, urban warfare tactics and refining individual and collective expertise. The training aimed to improve drills and procedures while sharing vital counterterrorism experience.
The US State Department has reiterated its commitment to expanding security cooperation with Pakistan, with counterterrorism as top priority.
Matthew Miller, the department’s spokesperson, stated this week the two countries have a “shared interest” in combating regional security threats when asked if the US would support Pakistan if it conducts cross-border attacks against militant targets in Afghanistan.
US and Pakistan conduct first joint counterterrorism exercise to address ‘perpetual terrorism threat’
https://arab.news/8kgqh
US and Pakistan conduct first joint counterterrorism exercise to address ‘perpetual terrorism threat’
- The exercise was conducted at the National Counter Terrorism Center in Pakistan’s Punjab province
- The US said this week the two countries have ‘shared interest’ in countering regional security threats
Pakistan’s PIA to resume London flights from Mar. 29 after six-year gap
- Newly privatized airline says will operate four weekly flights from Islamabad to London
- PIA is already operating three fllights per week to British city Manchester, says airline
ISLAMABAD: The newly privatized Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) will operate direct flights to London starting Mar. 29, 2026, after six years, its spokesperson confirmed on Tuesday.
The PIA resumed its flight operations to the UK in October this year with its inaugural flight to Manchester. The airline is currently operating three weekly flights to the British city.
Britain lifted restrictions on Pakistani carriers in July, nearly half a decade after grounding them following a 2020 PIA Airbus A320 crash in Karachi that killed 97 people. The disaster was followed by claims of irregularities in pilot licensing, which led to bans in the US, UK and the European Union.
“Pakistan International Airlines has announced the expansion of its operations in the United Kingdom with the resumption of flights to London,” the airline’s spokesperson said in a statement.
“Starting Mar. 29, PIA will operate four weekly flights from Islamabad to London.”
The airline said that the London flights will be operated from Heathrow Airport’s Terminal 4, which it said is recognized as one of its most modern terminals.
“London was PIA’s very first international destination and remains one of its most important and attractive routes,” the spokesperson said.
Pakistan’s government succeeded in its frequent efforts to privatize the airline this month after a consortium, led by Arif Habib Group, on Dec. 23 secured a 75 percent stake in PIA for Rs135 billion ($482 million) after several rounds of bidding, valuing the airline at Rs180 billion ($643 million).
The sale marked Pakistan’s most aggressive attempt in decades to reform the debt-ridden national airline, which had accumulated more than $2.8 billion in financial losses. The government said it would end decades of state-funded bailouts and help revive the airline.
In an exclusive interview with Arab News this week, the airline’s new owner Arif Habib said he plans to renovate PIA planes, improve maintenance and flight schedule, and bring in new aircraft to revive the carrier.
Habib said he sees the region comprising the UK, the US and Canada as a “lucrative market” for the airline’s business.
“There we can increase the frequency of the flight,” he said. “We will also try to run flights to Canada from Karachi, Lahore, and I think it’s already in Islamabad.”
