Direct flights top trade agenda with Nepal
Ambassador of Nepal Rita Dhital has called for restoration of direct air links between Pakistan and Nepal, saying improved connectivity is critical to unlocking trade, investment and tourism potential that remains underutilised.
Speaking at an interactive session at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), she said regular flights, exchange of trade delegations, single-country exhibitions and business-to-business matchmaking were needed to deepen economic ties.
Dhital recalled that Nepal Airlines had earlier operated flights to Karachi, while Pakistan International Airlines flew from Islamabad to Kathmandu until 2011, arguing that resuming such routes would facilitate business travel, tourism and people-to-people contacts. She invited Pakistani investors to explore opportunities in Nepal's tourism and hospitality, hydropower and clean energy, and information technology.
LCCI President Faheemur Rehman Saigol said bilateral trade, averaging just over $4 million, did not reflect the countries' strong diplomatic relations, which date to 1960 and include membership of SAARC.
State Bank of Pakistan data showed exports to Nepal at about $1.4 million in 2025-26, while imports stood near $2.8 million.
Pakistan exports include surgical instruments, pharmaceuticals, apparel and spices, while imports comprise perfumery plants, cardamom, opium fibre and orthopaedic appliances.
Saigol also pointed to scope for joint ventures in hospitality and ecotourism, linking Nepal's Mount Everest and Pakistan's K2 in a South Asian adventure tourism corridor.
Dhital said existing agreements, including a 1982 trade pact, a 1983 Joint Economic Commission, a 1996 Joint Business Council, a 1993 MoU with LCCI, and a 2001 double taxation agreement, needed to be operationalised through regular exchanges and concrete commercial initiatives.
She said governments could sign accords, but businesses must convert them into economic outcomes, noting past Pakistani joint ventures in textiles, hotels and banking in Nepal.
The envoy invited LCCI members to lead a trade delegation to Nepal, offering support for B2B matchmaking and single-country exhibitions, and noted about 5,000 Pakistanis visited Nepal in 2025, with visa-on-arrival available at Kathmandu's Tribhuvan International Airport, including a free first 30-day visa each year.
Officials and business representatives attended the session, including LCCI office-bearers, executive members and other participants.