Author: holidayweekly

KARACHI: American broadcaster CNN has featured Gilgit Baltistan, the most scenic region of Pakistan, in its list of the top 25 destinations worth visiting in 2025. Thousands of local and foreign tourists thronged the sparsely populated northern region each year for expeditions on various peaks, paragliding and other sports activities. “The Gilgit Baltistan region in the Karokoram Mountains isn’t the easiest place to get to flight schedules can be unreliable, roads can be blocked off seasonally but it has more tantalising peaks than a lemon meringue pie,” CNN Travel said this week. The publication noted that the region is home…

ISLAMABAD: Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Muhammad Amir Hayat has been appointed as the Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Pakistan International Airlines Corporation Limited (PIACL) under the aviation division. This appointment is made with the approval of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif until the appointment of a regular incumbent. The decision was made by the board of directors of PIACL on December 12, 2024, with immediate effect. This is with reference to the previous notification in which AVM Muhammad Amir Hayat ceased to be the Chief Executive Officer of PIA on December 09, 2024. AVM Amir Hayat was appointed as the…

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Travel Mart team recently hosted a highly successful international media briefing, offering a sneak peek into the upcoming Pakistan Travel Mart Expo and Roadshow. The exclusive networking event was attended by distinguished guests, including Rana Aftab-ur-Rehman Rana, Managing Director of Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC), and renowned international media journalists. The briefing showcased the exciting trajectory of Pakistan’s travel industry, with a strong emphasis on sustainable tourism practices. A key highlight was the introduction of the Sustainable Destinations Forum, a pivotal component of the Expo. This forum promises to bring together diverse global perspectives, sharp insights, and…

SKARDU: The Pearl-Continental Hospitality Division of Hashoo Group, one of Asia’s leading hospitality service providers, in partnership with renowned orthopedic surgeon Dr. Syed Imran Ali Shah, proudly announces the opening of PC Legacy Skardu, an upscale hotel poised to redefine the hospitality landscape in the region and open new avenues for tourism in Skardu. Located just minutes from Skardu International Airport, the hotel offers unparalleled convenience for travelers from both within Pakistan and abroad, thanks to direct flights connecting many countries to the region. With a dedicated 24/7 airport shuttle service, guests can step off their flights and immediately experience…

JEDDAH:  Saudi low-cost carrier Flyadeal announced Tuesday plans to launch scheduled flights to Pakistan’s commercial capital, Karachi, starting February 2, 2025. According to an airline statement, this marks the start of a major international expansion drive by the budget carrier and heralds the airline’s first scheduled service to Pakistan and South Asia. Starting February 2, Karachi will be served twice weekly by the Saudi capital, Riyadh, and the commercial hub of Jeddah. According to CEO Steven Greenway, more cities are in the pipeline. “I would like to applaud the Pakistani authorities and our planning team for working diligently to bring…

KARACHI: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) announced plans to expand its fleet and enhance operations following the induction of a newly refurbished Airbus 320 and an ATR aircraft, aiming to boost competitiveness in domestic and international markets. The national carrier, which holds a 23% share of Pakistan’s domestic aviation market, has faced challenges with its 34-plane fleet in competing globally. Despite agreements with 87 countries and access to prime landing slots, PIA has struggled to offer direct flights. “The 11th Airbus 320 AP-BOM has been inducted into the operational fleet with new engines, paint, and cabin upgrades,” PIA said in a…

KARACHI: Emirates, the world’s largest international airline, has officially launched its new Travel Store in Karachi, making it the airline’s first experiential retail concept to be rolled out in West Asia. Located in the prestigious Sky Tower, Karachi Towers, on Abdul Sattar Edhi Avenue in Clifton, the 183-square-meter store offers immersive experiences grounded in technology, and best-in-class support from dedicated teams on the ground. The store was officially inaugurated by Essa Sulaiman Ahmad, Emirates’ Senior Vice President for Commercial Operations, West Asia and Indian Ocean, in the presence of His Excellency Hamad Obaid Ibrahim Salem Al-Zaabi, Ambassador of the United…

ISLAMABAD: Pakistanis lodged 28,000 applications for international protection in the European Union Plus countries between October 2023 and October this year, the EU’s Agency for Asylum (EUAA) said in a Pakistan-specific report released last week. The monthly figures have followed a downward trend since reaching a peak in October last year, when Pakistanis lodged around 3,400 applications. The number for October this year stands at 1,900. Italy was the main receiving country for asylum applications by Pakistanis, followed at a distance by France, Greece and Germany. According to the “Country Focus on Pakistan Report”, EU Plus countries issued around 20,000…

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has announced that residents of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) can now perform Umrah at any time of the year. Their Umrah can be organized in several different ways to ensure a seamless and smooth pilgrimage, the ministry said. Pilgrims can purchase an Umrah package on Saudi Arabia’s official digital gateway for pilgrimage services, the Nusuk platform. They can also apply for a visa through accredited visa centers. For those who are transiting through the Kingdom on Saudia Airlines or Flynas, a transit visa can be acquired, enabling them to perform Umrah…

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Wednesday addressed the critical issue of visa issuance for Pakistani nationals during a high-level diplomatic meeting. The UAE assured Pakistan of its efforts to expedite the visa process for Pakistani applicants. The News reported. The matter was discussed when UAE Ambassador Hamad Obaid Ibrahim Al Zaabi met with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar at the Foreign Office (FO). The meeting also included talks on strengthening cooperation between the two countries, according to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA). “Deputy Prime Minister/ Foreign Minister and…