Author: holidayweekly

LAHORE: The Punjab government has revealed plans to introduce a tram service in Lahore, set to begin operations in February next year. Punjab’s Transport Minister, Bilal Akbar, shared that the initial tram trial was a success. As a result, the tram line connecting Thokar to Harbanspura is scheduled to launch in February 2026. According to Bilal Akbar, each tram will be able to accommodate 270 passengers. The project is estimated to cost $3 million. He also mentioned that officials from Punjab NESPAK and the Punjab Mass Transit Authority recently traveled to China in connection with the project. The minister added…

LAHORE: Tourism in Murree is set for a major boost as the Punjab government has approved feasibility studies for two landmark projects — a Sky Walk Glass Bridge (Rs 72.152 million) and a Chairlift & Cable Car from Lakot to Pindi Point (Rs 90 million). Chaired by Planning & Development Board Chairman Dr. Naeem Rauf, the PDWP meeting also sanctioned a Cable Car project at River Indus, Kala Bagh, Mianwali (Rs 81.571 million), along with several other schemes in roads, minority affairs, and IT, with a total estimated cost of Rs 5.118 billion. Other approved projects include the construction of…

ISLAMABAD: The Government of Pakistan has officially announced the conferment of the Sitara-e-Imtiaz, one of the nation’s highest civil awards, upon Arshad Wali Muhammad, Group Director of Gerry’s Group and Former Minister for Tourism, Environment, Climate Change and Coastal Development in the Caretaker Government of Sindh, Pakistan (2023–24). This prestigious honor has been awarded in recognition of Mr. Wali Muhammad’s exceptional achievements, professional excellence, philanthropy, and contributions across his respective fields. As Minister for Tourism in the caretaker government, Mr. Wali Muhammad worked to highlight Sindh’s cultural heritage, historic landmarks, and coastal potential, launching initiatives that promoted eco-tourism, local community…

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is set to launch direct flights to Barcelona and Milan as part of its post-reopening expansion into European destinations, following directives from Defence Minister Khawaja Asif. The move comes after the resumption of PIA’s European operations, which had been suspended for several years. The defence minister instructed the airline to prioritize routes to Barcelona and Milan due to the large overseas Pakistani communities residing there. Milan, in particular, is home to a significant number of people from Sialkot, Asif’s hometown, making it a key destination for the national carrier. The renewed focus on European connectivity…

LAHORE: The Ministry of Railways has released detailed income and expenditure figures for Pakistan Railways covering the period from fiscal year 2022–23 to the current financial year 2024–25. According to the ministry, Pakistan Railways faced a cumulative loss of Rs. 6 billion over the three years. In 2022–23, the railways earned Rs. 63.718 billion in revenue, while expenses stood at Rs 72.178 billion, resulting in a loss of Rs 8.460 billion. In 2023–24, income rose to Rs. 88.792 billion, with expenses at Rs 88.380 billion, producing a small surplus of more than Rs. 410 million. In the ongoing fiscal year…

KARACHI:  Last week Etihad Airways hosted an elegant luncheon at Marriott Hotel Karachi to celebrate its valued travel trade partners. The event was organized under the gracious hospitality of   Mr. Ahmed Zahoor, General Manager–Pakistan, Etihad Airways and was attended by a distinguished gatherings of senior leaders from the city’s travel and tourism industry.    Adding prestige to the occasion was the presence of Mr. Wafi Ishaq, Regional General Manager ISC and GCC Etihad Airways, who specially flew in from Abu Dhabi to lead the proceedings. With over two decades of rich experience in the aviation industry, Mr. Ishaq has been…

COLOMBO: In a strategic move to revive its tourism industry, Sri Lanka has extended its free visa policy for tourists from 40 countries from August 1, 2025, to January 31, 2026. This initiative follows the success of the initial visa-free entry scheme launched in March 2023 and aims to attract international travelers, boost economic growth, and support the country’s recovery from both the COVID-19 pandemic and the aftermath of the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings. Previously, the visa waiver covered seven key nations—China, India, Indonesia, Russia, Thailand, Malaysia, and Japan. Under the newly expanded policy, the program now includes major global…

GILGIT: In a landmark environmental move, Gilgit-Baltistan authorities have imposed a sweeping moratorium on all new hotel construction and expansion near key lakes in Hunza and ecologically sensitive zones in the Baltistan division. The decision follows a recommendation by the Gilgit-Baltistan Environmental Protection Agency (GB-EPA), which urged a five-year ban to protect the fragile mountain ecology and prevent further environmental degradation in these popular tourist regions. According to a notification issued by the Deputy Commissioner of Hunza on July 11, all new No-Objection Certificates (NOCs) for the construction or expansion of commercial and residential structures in the Attabad, Borit, and…

ISLAMABAD: The Government of Pakistan has shortlisted four potential investors to take over Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), marking a significant step forward in its drive to privatize the struggling national carrier. The Ministry of Privatization announced on July 9, 2025, that two consortiums and two standalone entities had cleared the prequalification stage. The decision was endorsed during a meeting chaired by Muhammad Ali, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Privatization. The shortlisted parties include: 1: Airblue (a Pakistani airline) 2: Fauji Foundation (through Fauji Fertilizer) 3: Consortium 1: Lucky Cement, Hub Power, Kohat Cement, and Metro Ventures 4: Consortium 2:…

DUBAI: Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has named Qatari royal and elite mountaineer Sheikha Asma Al Thani as Pakistan’s Brand Ambassador for Mountains and Tourism, following her historic summit of Nanga Parbat, one of the world’s most dangerous peaks. The announcement came shortly after Sheikha Asma became the first Qatari woman to scale the 8,126-metre peak known as “Killer Mountain”, located in Pakistan’s Gilgit-Baltistan region. Her appointment as Pakistan’s tourism ambassador is being seen as both a diplomatic gesture and a strategic move to promote Pakistan’s vast mountain ranges as a global destination for high-altitude adventure. In a statement posted…