Pakistan to resume direct flights to Kazakhstan

ISLAMABAD:

As part of its goal to enhance connectivity with Central Asian Republics, the federal government has decided to resume direct flights to Kazakhstan and for this purpose a special committee has been formed by Prime Minister Imran Khan.

The bilateral flights agreement between Pakistan and Kazakhstan expired in 1993 and no airline directly operates between the two countries.

According to documents available with The Express Tribune, the committee formed by the premier will be headed by Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and will submit a report to the federal cabinet in 15 days. The six-member committee will also include aviation minister, finance adviser, foreign secretary and director general of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

As per documents, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) would have the authority to operate direct flights under the Single Airline Agreement while Kazakhstan Aviation Committee, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, had requested permission for SCAT Airlines.

The government wants to increase trade with Central Asian Republics for rapid economic growth, and the federal cabinet is of the view that direct flight operations are an important milestone for the future.
In the same vein, it emerged on Wednesday, that the federal cabinet has also approved a new air route for Tajikistan. The air route was approved after a thorough assessment by intelligence agencies and the CAA.

The CAA is expected to contact the government in Afghanistan for the new air route.

The government of Tajikistan had asked Pakistan for a new air route to reduce the flight distance between the two countries.