Author: holidayweekly

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…

By Ch. Faisal Mahmood 

ISLAMABAD: Chairing a high-level meeting on tourism, the Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif emphasized Pakistan’s untapped potential, from snow-capped peaks to serene rivers, deserts to heritage sites that can rival any destination in the world. Prime Minister called for the creation of special tourism zones to transform Pakistan into a premier global tourist destination through public private partnership. Key directives include: This high level meeting held on 30th June was attended by Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi, Federal Minister of Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives, Ahsan Iqbal Chaudhry, Minister for Azad Jammu & Kashmir,…

GILGIT-BALTISTAN: The government has formally launched the upgrade project of Skardu International Airport, marking a key milestone in strengthening air connectivity and unlocking the economic potential of Gilgit-Baltistan. The formal launch event took place at a local resort in Skardu, where the joint venture consultancy, comprising Swiss firm Intairplan and its Pakistani partners, presented their strategic roadmap for the airport’s development. Senior officials from the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) attended the meeting, including the Director Planning & Development, the Additional Director Project Monitoring, Project Director Skardu International Airport, and the Airport Manager Skardu. Reforms in aviation sector reviewed: PM for…