Pakistan pushes for direct US flights

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Friday said that the government is keen to see the early launch of direct flights between Pakistan and the US, adding that bilateral relations are rooted in mutual trust and cooperation.

The interior minister met with the US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Paul Kapur, alongside US Chargé d'Affaires Natalie Baker, Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry and the federal interior secretary, according to an official statement.

Both sides reviewed bilateral relations and exchanged views on the latest situation in the Middle East, the statement said.

The minister's remarks come after PIA resumed its direct services to London earlier this year, ending a six-year suspension. The airline confirmed on March 29 that its inaugural flight had departed from Islamabad. PIA also announced that direct flights from Lahore to London would be introduced.

Naqvi observed that Pakistan-US relations had strengthened during President Donald Trump's tenure, describing the ties between the two nations as based on mutual trust and bilateral cooperation.

The interior minister also stated that Pakistan had ensured "foolproof security" for American companies working on the Reko Diq mining project in southwestern Balochistan province.

In February, the United States earmarked $1.3 billion for the Reko Diq copper and gold mining project, aimed at supporting the extraction of mineral reserves in Balochistan. Construction work has already commenced at the mining site, and commercial production is expected to begin in 2028.

Discussing regional developments, Naqvi said he remained hopeful for a lasting and peaceful resolution to the Middle East conflict. Kapur also praised Pakistan's role in promoting peace and stability in the region

Pakistan had brokered a two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran on April 8, followed by critical talks in Islamabad attended by senior delegations from both countries on April 11 and 12. However, neither side was able to reach an agreement to bring the conflict to an end.