Author: holidayweekly

PESHAWAR: The Kalash Valleys of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Chitral district have been inscribed on the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Tentative List, marking a significant milestone in the preservation of Pakistan’s unique cultural heritage. According to UNESCO, member states must first compile an inventory of significant natural and cultural sites—known as the Tentative List—before any nomination can be considered for inclusion in the World Heritage List. “It is an important step since the World Heritage Committee cannot consider a nomination unless the property has already been included on the State Party’s Tentative List,” the organisation states.…

SHUSHA: The 7th ECO Ministerial Meeting on Tourism and the 9th Meeting of the ECO Experts Group on Tourism were successfully held in the historic city of Shusha, Azerbaijan, on 28–29 April 2026. Bringing together tourism ministers and delegations from across ECO member states, the meetings provided an important platform to strengthen regional cooperation and unlock the immense tourism potential of the ECO region. Pakistan was represented by Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan, National Coordinator on Tourism to the Prime Minister and Aftab ur Rehman Rana, Managing Director of PTDC. In his remarks, Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan highlighted the vast natural,…

ByLt Gen (R) Sardar Hasan Azhar HayatMD Pakistan Land Port AuthorityEx. MD Green Tourism Pvt. Ltd It seems our mind is stuck with Gilgit Baltistan when we listen to the word Air Safari! Yes we are blessed. But having travelled in Balochistan I feel other air Safaris exist and are unique in landscape, than any other part of the world. Balochistan has been blessed with immense beauty of a different type it seems you are surfacing over the moon. My quest to open new routes and oversee border crossings led me to travel to Taftan, I have travelled different land…

LONDON: With the threat of aviation fuel supplies potentially running short, airlines have begun taking remedial action to reduce usage and conserve stocks. This has so far primarily taken the form of flight cancellations and frequency reductions. Yet, with flight cancellations comes a risk that ‘use-it-or-lose-it’ slot rules could be broken as airlines fail to meet mandated usage levels for some of the world’s most congested airports. Now, with IATA calling for special dispensation for airlines should usage fall below the required level, the UK has become the first country to provide some concrete guidance on this issue. With the…

By Lt Gen (R) Sardar Hasan Azhar HayatMD Pakistan Land Port AuthorityEx. MD Green Tourism Pvt. Ltd On a beautiful spring morning, I requested Gandhara Resource Centre a local organization working for preservation & promotion of Gandhara heritage and culture, to visit and see art of sculpture making. It took me 25 minutes to reach Taxila museum our RV and can take anyone from Islamabad 45 minutes. Our host was already waiting for me and received me. Lately Taxila development by government of Punjab is much in limelight, making me inquisitive! I could see stone pitching / pavements being made,…

LAHORE: LAHORE: A significant step toward modernising rail transport in Punjab has been taken with the signing of a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the provincial government and Pakistan Railways. The agreement, signed by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif and Federal Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi, aims to enhance railway services and strengthen connectivity across the province. A key highlight of the initiative is the introduction of Pakistan’s first high-speed train service between Lahore and Rawalpindi. The train is expected to cover the 280-kilometre distance in nearly two and a half hours, offering passengers a faster and more efficient…

ISTANBUL: Turkish Airlines has implemented changes in its executive management structure with the appointment of Prof. Murat Şeker, who has served for many years as Chief Financial Officer (CFO, as the Chairman of the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee of Turkish Airlines. Prof. Murat Şeker, New Chairman of the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee of Turkish Airlines. Mr. Ahmet Olmuştur, New Chief Executive Officer  Of Turkish Airlines As part of this executive management change, Mr. Ahmet Olmuştur, who has been the Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) for many years, has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer (CEO)…

By Lt Gen (R) Sardar Hasan Azhar HayatMD Pakistan Land Port AuthorityEx. MD Green Tourism Pvt. Ltd Such are the times that whenever I tell someone I am in Balochistan, the instant reply is: “Be safe!” This is what we hear most often in the media and on social platforms. But may I ask—how many have actually experienced Balochistan firsthand and seen the situation for themselves? Perhaps it seems too far to explore, but my sincere suggestion is: go and see it—because seeing is believing. Yes, security concerns do exist, but that is not the whole story. Over the years,…

KARACHI: The 5th edition of Pakistan Travel Mart (PTM) 2026 concluded successfully on Sunday, April 5, in the city of lights, marking yet another milestone for Pakistan’s travel and tourism industry. Bigger and more vibrant than ever before, the three-day event brought together over 350 prominent national and international brands from the travel, aviation, hospitality, and tourism sectors under one roof. Despite regional challenges and prevailing uncertainties affecting global travel confidence, PTM 2026 stood out as a powerful symbol of resilience and commitment. The event not only sustained its momentum but also surpassed expectations, reinforcing Pakistan’s growing stature as an…

Ch. Faisal Mahmood
Chief Editor & CEO
Holiday Weekly