KARACHI: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) completed its inaugural direct flight from Lahore to Baku on Sunday, a development Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif described as a “major diplomatic success” and a step toward deepening ties with regional allies.
The new air link is part of Islamabad’s broader strategy to strengthen economic, tourism and diplomatic ties with Central Asian countries. Pakistan has been pushing to expand trade routes and people-to-people connectivity to boost its economy through enhanced trade, tourism and investment.
“This is a major diplomatic success for Pakistan,” Sharif said in a statement issued by his office after the flight arrived in Baku. “Azerbaijan is among our closest friends in the region, and we are striving to build partnerships with it across sectors, including tourism.”
Flight PK-159 departed Lahore at 11:50 AM with 152 passengers and landed at Heydar Aliyev International Airport in Baku, where it received a warm welcome.
Pakistani Ambassador to Azerbaijan Qasim Moinuddin, Airport Director Taimur Hassan and Azerbaijan’s Transport Minister Rashad Nabi greeted passengers on arrival.
The flight was celebrated onboard with a cake-cutting ceremony. Passengers received gift packs and mobile phones through a lucky draw. PIA’s return flight, PK-160, later departed from Baku for Lahore.
A formal send-off ceremony was held in Lahore earlier in the day, attended by Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif and Azerbaijan’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Khazar Farhadov.
“PIA is expanding its network, and Baku is an important addition to this chain,” Asif said. “This flight will significantly strengthen relations between Pakistan and Azerbaijan.”
Sharif said similar air links with other friendly countries would follow soon, as part of Pakistan’s plan to strengthen regional integration.
“The launch of direct PIA flights between Lahore and Baku will help promote tourism,” the prime minister said. “We will soon begin similar direct flights with other friendly nations.”
Pakistan PM hails first Lahore-Baku flight as ‘diplomatic success’
https://arab.news/6bgmp
Pakistan PM hails first Lahore-Baku flight as ‘diplomatic success’
- Shehbaz Sharif says the new air link will help promote tourism between the two countries
- The flight carrying 152 passengers was warmly received by Azerbaijan’s transport minister
India captain says will travel for Pakistan clash despite boycott
- Pakistan have announced they will boycott their match against India on Feb. 15 in Sri Lanka
- India need to be at the stadium on Feb. 15 to ensure they are awarded two points for match
MUMBAI: India captain Suryakumar Yadav said Thursday that his team would show up in Colombo for their T20 World Cup clash against Pakistan, despite their Group A opponents and arch-rivals boycotting the match.
“We haven’t said no to playing them (Pakistan),” Yadav told reporters at Mumbai’s Wankhede stadium, where India will begin their campaign against the United States on Saturday’s opening day.
“They are the ones who have said no. Our flights are booked and we are going to Colombo.”
India need to be at the stadium and ready to take the field for the February 15 match in order to make sure of being awarded the two points for a match forfeit.
The tournament, co-hosted by Sri Lanka and India, has been overshadowed by weeks of political posturing in the build-up.
Bangladesh were kicked out for refusing to play in India and Pakistan’s government then told its team not to show up at the clash of the arch-rivals as a show of support for Bangladesh.
Pakistan and India have not played bilateral cricket for more than a decade, and meet only in global or regional tournaments events.
India start the T20 World Cup on home soil with a great chance of retaining the title they won two years ago and Yadav agreed they were the side to beat.
“The way we have been playing, it looks like we are the favorites,” he smiled.
If that seemed like an overconfident statement, the India captain was quick to caution: “There are 19 (other) good teams in the tournament, though.
“On a given day, when you play, you have to bring your A-game and play good cricket.”
India know that their opening opponents, the United States, caused the biggest upset of the 2024 tournament when they beat Pakistan in a super over.
Yadav said no team would be taken lightly.
“I’m sure every game will be very important,” he said.
