DUBAI: Pakistan and Dubai have signed more than $3 billion investment pact in diverse fields including cooperation in railways, economic zones and infrastructure development. The agreement was signed at the World Economic Forum in Davos by Minister of Communication, Railways and Maritime Affairs Shahid Ashraf Tarar and Chairman of Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation (PCFC) Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem. According to the Ministry of Railways, the cooperation covers the development of a dedicated freight corridor, multi-modal logistics park, and freight terminals. The Dubai Port (DP) World will work on infrastructure development at Qasim International Container Terminal which is Pakistan’s…
Author: holidayweekly
TOKYO: Japan Airlines’ current president Yuji Akasaka and new president Mitsuko Tottori attend a press conference in Tokyo, Japan on January 17, 2024. — Reuters Japan Airlines (JAL) has appointed its first female president, marking a significant milestone in a nation grappling with a substantial gender gap in the workplace, CNN reported. Mitsuko Tottori, a seasoned executive who ascended from a cabin attendant role since joining JAL in 1985, is set to assume the presidency on April 1, as announced in a statement on Wednesday. This move occurs amid growing pressure on Japanese companies to enhance gender diversity and address…
LONDON: As per the latest development, starting from January 31, the United Kingdom is all set to implement substantial changes to its visa regulations. These changes will open up new avenues for business endeavors for individuals holding visitor visas.As per the latest updates, tourist visa holders will now be granted permission to engage in work-related activities with clients and undertake remote work while visiting the UK. It’s expected that this move will provide a considerable boost to both business and tourism within the country. If reports are to go by, the UK Government has also released an update to its…
ABU DHABI: Etihad Airways’ Group Chief Executive Officer Antonoaldo Neves recently revealed the airline’s comprehensive expansion plans for 2024. The group’s strategic vision encompasses widening its destination network, increasing flight options, and reinforcing its global footprint with sustainable growth at the center. Etihad Airways is set to introduce Boston as its fourth destination in the United States. It will start initiating four weekly flights from March 31. Additionally, the airline will commence operations in Nairobi, Kenya, from May 1. Earlier in January, the airline added Kozhikode and Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala, India, bringing the total number of destinations served by Etihad…
MONTREAL: IATA revealed that total air travel traffic in November 2023 (measured in Revenue Passenger Kilometers) increased by 29.7 percent compared to the same month of the previous year. Meanwhile, global travel traffic has now reached 99.1 percent of November 2019 levels. International air travel rose by 26.4 percent compared to November 2022. Notably, the Asia-Pacific region continued to record the strongest results year-on-year (+63.8 percent), with all regions showing improvement compared to the previous year. Moreover, the total number of international passengers in November 2023 reached 94.5 percent of November 2019 levels. Meanwhile, domestic air travel traffic in November…
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has inducted an A-320 aircraft into its fleet on Wednesday in a ceremony held at the Islamabad International Airport. It is important to note that the newly inducted aircraft is one of the two planes that were stranded in Malaysia due to a payment dispute. The ceremony was attended by top government officials, including advisor to PM on aviation, Air Marshal (R) Farhat Hussain Khan, Federal Secretary Aviation, Captain (R) Saif Anjum, CEO PIA Air Vice Marshal Amir Hayat, DG Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) Khaqan Murtaza and other senior officers. Farhat Hussain Khan…
Citizens of France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Singapore and Spain can enjoy visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to an incredible 194 destinations around the world, the highest number recorded since the Henley Passport Index began tracking global travel freedoms 19 years ago. The index is created by London-based global citizenship and residence advisory firm Henley & Partners, using exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Pakistan fares slightly better at fifth from the bottom, with access to 34 destinations. India stands at 80th, offering visa-free travel to 57 countries, while China ranks 62nd with access to 85 countries. The Asian…
KARACHI: Majority of candidates nominated by United Business Group (UBG) and Businessmen Panel Progressive (BMP) succeeded in the elections of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) for the term of 2024-25. According to the results issued on Saturday late night, the UBG and BMP Progressive bagged all the leading seats including the slots of the president and the senior vice president. The UBG’s presidential candidate Atif Ikram Sheikh was unofficially elected, defeating Muhammad Ali from BMP. Meanwhile, Saquib Fayyaz another nominee of the UBG defeated Abdul Ghani of BMP on the slot of senior vice president.…
KARACHI: The 12th series of Exercise Barracuda, organized by the Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA), concluded successfully from 2-4 January. PMSA, a key player in maritime security, has consistently demonstrated leadership at both national and international levels. This exercise, a signature event since 2007, further highlighted their commitment. In a delightful addition to the land side phase at Manora Beach Park on January 3, the Sindh Tourism Development Corporation (STDC) showcased the diverse tourism offerings of Sindh. Delegates from over 16 countries visiting the event expressed keen interest in the STDC stand, turning Manora Beach Park into a vibrant hub…
ISLAMABAD: Amid growing concerns over new COVID-19 variant spread, the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) has decided to resume mandatory testing of 2% of inbound passengers, The News reported on Thursday. The testing will help detect and prevent JN.1 sub-variant of COVID-19. However, reports regarding the unavailability of testing kits and Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) later emerged, as major airports, including Islamabad and Karachi, lacked the facilities, officials told the publication. “On the directives of caretaker federal Health Minister Dr Nadeem Jan, surveillance at the country’s points of entry, including airports, has been increased and 2 percent mandatory testing…