RAWALPINDI: The Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has sought permission from Uzbekistan to operate its flights from Lahore to Tashkent and announced an increase in the number of international flights.
PIA spokesman Abdullah Hafeez said that PIA Chief Executive Officer Air Marshal Arshad Malik had intensified efforts to launch Tashkent flights and talks had been held between the PIA CEO and Ambassador of Uzbekistan to Pakistan His Excellency Aibak Arif Usmanov and Ambassador of Pakistan to Uzbekistan Syed Ali Asad Gilani.
During the meeting, the PIA sought permission to start Lahore-Tashkent flights as the national flag carrier planned to start the flights by the end of March, the spokesman added.
The Uzbek cities of Tashkent, Bukhara and Samarkand are important for religious tourism.
Abdullah added that PIA had been expanding its operations to Central Asian countries including Afghanistan and said Insha’Allah PIA’s fifth flight to Kabul would start from March 4, while flights from Lahore to Baku would start from March 14.
