Author: holidayweekly

ISLAMABAD: In a major development, Sweden has announced the resumption of visa processing for Pakistani citizens, effective April 9, 2025. The Swedish Embassy in Islamabad confirmed that applications for work and study residence permits will now be processed locally, offering a significant relief to applicants who previously had to travel to Ethiopia for visa procedures. According to the embassy, individuals applying for residence permits for work, study, or family reunification can now complete their application process at the Swedish Embassy in Islamabad. However, this resumption does not apply to Schengen or short-term visit visas (valid for up to 90 days).…

ISLAMABAD: The Embassy of Uzbekistan in Islamabad hosted an Iftar reception to celebrate the Navruz Day at Marriot hotel Islamabad, marking the arrival of spring and the renewal of life with a cultural gathering that reflected Uzbekistan’s deep connection to this historic festival. Speaking on the occasion, Managing Director of Pakistan Tourism, Aftab Rana said that this year’s Novruz celebration coincided with the holy month of Ramadan, making it a special time to reflect on the values of generosity and togetherness. He said that this event beautifully reflects the cultural harmony and regional friendship. He also emphasized that tourism is…

CHITRAL: Pakistan International Airlines will resume its flights to Chitral from Islamabad from April 5 initially on a weekly basis after a gap of about three years. An official at the PIA’s district sales office told Dawn that the ATR-72 flight would land at Chitral airport at 10am on April 5 and depart back for Islamabad after two hours. The people of Chitral have, however, expressed their displeasure over the PIA’s decision to operate only a weekly flight, and demanded daily flights keeping in view the growing demand of people. Former MNA Maulana Abdul Akbar Chitrali has said the PIA…

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has taken a significant step towards modernizing its passport printing system by acquiring state-of-the-art e-passport printers from Germany. This upgrade aims to enhance both efficiency and security in passport issuance. As part of this modernization effort, the country has received two high-tech e-passport printers along with six desktop printers. Director General of Immigration and Passports, Mustafa Jamal Qazi, recently visited the e-printer section to inspect the newly installed equipment. “These advanced printers have the capacity to process up to 1,000 passports per hour, which will greatly improve Pakistan’s ability to meet growing demand,” he stated. To ensure seamless…

ISLAMABAD: ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s travel and tourism market is poised to generate over $4 billion in revenue by 2025, according to a report by Statista Travel and Tourism Pakistan, as cited by The News. The industry is anticipated to experience an annual growth rate of 6.75% from 2025 to 2029, potentially reaching a market volume of $5.53 billion by the end of the forecast period. The report identifies ‘Package Holidays’ as the leading segment, projected to yield $1.92 billion in revenue in 2025. By 2029, the number of users in this category is expected to surge to 22.17 million, with user…

LONDON: During an iftar dinner in London, attended by journalists, social media influencers, and esteemed guests, Dr. Faisal announced that Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) will initially resume flights from London and Manchester to Pakistan. He also mentioned efforts to restart services from Birmingham in the near future. The High Commissioner highlighted that the resumption of flights will be celebrated with a formal opening ceremony, with media representatives invited to cover the event. He clarified that the reinstatement of flights is unrelated to any operational concerns regarding aircraft landings. This move aims to strengthen Pakistan’s aviation ties with the UK following…

TASHKENT: Uzbekistan has become the 26th country to adhere to the International Code for the Protection of Tourists (ICPT). The ICPT is a unified global framework designed to protect tourists, particularly in emergency situations, and to safeguard their rights and responsibilities as consumers. By adhering to this code, Uzbekistan reinforces its dedication to enhancing guarantees and legal protections for tourists and further complements its ongoing efforts in collaboration with UN Tourism to strengthen global tourism standards. The Minister of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change of Uzbekistan, Aziz Abdukhakimov, said: “Uzbekistan is committed to ensuring the highest standards of safety,…

MANAMA: Gulf Air, the National Carrier of Bahrain, has announced a strategic partnership with SalamAir, Oman’s Low-cost carrier, formalised through a memorandum of understanding (MOU). This MoU will see Gulf Air provide SalamAir with a comprehensive suite of technical services encompassing line maintenance, base maintenance and specialised workshop support, Gulf Air said. This partnership not only offers SalamAir innovative operational solutions, it also positions Gulf Air as a key player in the regional MRO landscape, it said. Gulf Air Chief Technical Officer Mazin Saleh said: “This agreement with SalamAir is a significant step towards Gulf Air’s vision to become a…

ISLAMABAD: Privatisation and Investment Minister Abdul Aleem Khan on Thursday said that the government would complete all the steps to privatise Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) during the next three months. As part of reforms urged by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the Privatisation Commission said in April 2024 that it was putting on the block a stake ranging from 51 per cent to 100pc of the national carrier. The government’s failed first attempt to privatise PIA cost the national exchequer $4.3 million, the National Assembly Standing Committee on Privatisation was informed on February 26. The lack of interest shown by…

KARACHI: The US Embassy has launched a new online visa appointment system, set to take effect on February 8, 2025, and has issued essential guidelines to help applicants navigate the transition smoothly. According to the US Consulate General in Karachi, visa applicants must first create a profile in the new system before booking their appointment. Those who have already paid the visa fee or scheduled an appointment under the previous system should register using the same email ID to ensure their details transfer seamlessly. For applicants who paid their visa fee before February 3, 2025, the embassy advises entering their…