Author: holidayweekly

LAHORE: The Allama Iqbal International Airport in Lahore is set to undergo a major expansion, with a new terminal aimed at improving passenger experience and reducing congestion. The project is expected to be completed by September 2026, according to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), Express News reported The new terminal will significantly enhance airport facilities, including a sixfold increase in immigration counters and a threefold expansion of baggage handling capacity. Key upgrades at the new terminal, According to Dr. Tauqeer Iqbal, the project lead at CAA, the expansion will introduce:Departure immigration counters: Increased from 10 to 64,Arrival immigration counters: Increased…

PTM 2025 Hosts Prestigious Gala Dinner In Islamabad ISLAMABAD: After the successful three-day Pakistan Travel Mart (PTM) 2025 held at the Karachi Expo Center from January 31 to February 2, a vibrant Gala Dinner was hosted at the Marriott Hotel, Islamabad on February 3, 2025. The event was graced by the Minister of Planning, Development & Special Initiatives, Mr. Ahsan Iqbal, as the Chief Guest. The gathering brought together government officials, foreign dignitaries, ambassadors, policymakers, tourism stakeholders, and industry leaders, reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to promoting tourism and fostering international collaborations. The Pakistan Travel Mart (PTM) 2025, supported by the Pakistan…

KARACHI: KARACHI: Saudi Arabia’s low-cost carrier, flyadeal, has officially commenced its flight operations to Pakistan, marking a significant expansion in regional air travel. According to a spokesperson for the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA), flyadeal’s inaugural flight, F3 166, landed at Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport at 8:04 a.m., where it was welcomed with a traditional water cannon salute. flyadeal received approval from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) in November 2024 to operate in Pakistan, paving the way for direct air connectivity between the two nations. The airline will initially operate flights between Riyadh and Karachi, with plans to expand services…

KARACHI: National Epilepsy Centre, JPMC along with Epilepsy Association of Pakistan, the Pakistan Chapter of the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) and Epilepsy Support Pakistan, the Full Chapter of the International Bureau for Epilepsy (IBE), held a press conference at Port Grand, earlier today. This landmark event marked a unified initiative to launch February 28th as National Epilepsy Day and designate February as National Epilepsy Awareness Month. The press meet was graced by Murtaza Wahab Siddiqui, the Mayor of Karachi as the Chief Guest, with Nadia Jamil, a celebrated actor and an individual living with epilepsy, as the Guest of…

ISTANBUL: The Flag carrier of Saudi Arabia, Riyadh Air (RX) operated its first test flight from King Khalid International Airport (RUH) in Riyadh to Istanbul Airport (IST) on January 23, 2025. The Saudi carrier is set to capitalize on the Saudi Vision 2030 mission as it plans to serve over 100 destinations by 2030. So far it has partnered with 8 airlines including Turkish Airlines (TK). Further, it has 132 aircraft orders and plans to create over 200,000 jobs. The aircraft was handled by Havas, a ground-handling company. Havaş delivers ground handling services to over 200 airlines across airports in…

MUZAFFARABAD: In a bid to promote safe tourism and ensure the safety of visitors, the administration in the breathtaking Neelum Valley of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) has launched an internet application alongside policy guidelines for the tourism sector. The app, developed in collaboration with the AJK Information Technology (IT) Board, aims to keep the administration updated on tourist accommodations, contact details, and itineraries, Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Neelum, Nadeem Ahmed Janjua, told Dawn on Thursday. Last year, the valley, which boasts a 150-kilometre main road stretching from Nauseri to the scenic village of Taobutt along the Neelum River, welcomed…

Starlink, the satellite internet service owned by Elon Musk, has officially registered with Pakistan’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SECP) under the name “Starlink Internet Services (Private) Limited.” As part of its plans, Starlink has applied to establish two or three ground stations in Pakistan, aiming to offer direct satellite internet access to customers across the country, local media reported. According to a written response from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to the Senate Standing Committee, the company is in the process of obtaining the necessary licenses to operate in Pakistan. Starlink first submitted an application for a long-distance international (LDI)…

KARACHI: The Culture and Tourism Department, Government of Sindh, is set to redefine travel with the launch of the Thar Desert Train Safari on 8th February 2025. This one-of-a-kind journey offers an immersive experience through the cultural and scenic beauty of Sindh. The announcement came during a meeting chaired by Provincial Minister for Culture and Tourism, Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah, with representatives of the Association of Karachi Tour Operators in attendance. The safari train will depart from Karachi Cantt Station, taking travelers through Hyderabad, Mirpurkhas, and Chhor before reaching Khokhrapar Zero Point near the border. The journey promises breathtaking views…

ISLAMABAD: Telenor Pakistan has signed a MoU with the Travel Agents Association of Pakistan (TAAP), the country’s foremost body for travel and tour operators, to redefine how travelers experience connectivity outside of Pakistan. This strategic collaboration empowers travel agents to offer Telenor’s cutting-edge Travel SIM solutions as part of their travel packages, ensuring a seamless communication experience for travelers going outside Pakistan, while using Telenor’s roaming services. The partnership introduces tailored connectivity solutions to meet the unique needs of international Pakistani travelers. With affordable international roaming packages covering key global destinations, the Travel SIM is designed to simplify travel while…

DOHA: Qatar Airways, the national carrier of Qatar, has refuted claims about the closure of its offices in Pakistan, assuring that its operations in the country remain unaffected. “Qatar Airways flights to and from Pakistan are operating as usual, and our offices remain open,” the airline stated on Wednesday on the social media platform X. “Recent published reports claiming that Qatar Airways has closed offices in Pakistan are incorrect,” the statement added. The clarification comes in response to reports alleging that the airline had shut down its offices across Pakistan as part of cost-cutting measures. A few days ago, the…