PIA resumes direct flights to Iran's Mashhad after five-year gap

PIA resumes direct flights to Iran's Mashhad after five-year gap

Islamabad (Web Desk): The Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has resumed direct flights to Iran after a five-year gap to develop people-to-people contacts and boost tourism industry, Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) reported on Wednesday.

PIA Spokesperson Abdullah Khan told IRNA that the first PIA flight departed from Lahore to Mashhad on Wednesday night, while direct flights from Karachi to Mashhad will begin on Saturday.

The development reportedly came as a result of "serious efforts by the Iranian Embassy in Islamabad" for the facilitation of air travel between the two countries.

In a tweet, Iranian Ambassador to Pakistan Mohammad Ali Hosseini said that the two countries have agreed to promote air cooperation.