Pakistan seeks early restoration of direct flights to US, says Mohsin Naqvi

ISLAMABAD: Mohsin Naqvi on Friday said the government was seeking the early launch of direct flights between Pakistan and the United States, stressing that relations between the two countries were based on mutual trust and bilateral cooperation.

The interior minister made the remarks during a meeting with Paul Kapur, where both sides discussed bilateral relations and the latest developments in the Middle East, according to a statement issued by the interior ministry.

US Chargé d’Affaires Natalie A Baker, Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry and other senior officials also attended the meeting.

During the talks, Naqvi said Pakistan-US relations had become stronger during the administration of Donald Trump.

The two sides also discussed enhancing cooperation in security, counterterrorism and counternarcotics sectors, with the interior minister assuring that security arrangements for US companies working on the Reko Diq project had been ensured.

Naqvi said Pakistan remained hopeful for a peaceful and lasting resolution to the ongoing Middle East conflict.

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In response, Kapur appreciated Pakistan’s role in promoting regional peace and stability.

The remarks regarding direct flights come months after Pakistan International Airlines resumed direct flights to London following a six-year suspension earlier this year.

The airline announced on March 29 that its inaugural flight had departed from Islamabad, adding that direct services from Lahore to London would also operate.

Earlier, Khawaja Asif had said the country would soon witness an expansion of the PIA fleet and the restoration of more direct routes to destinations in the UK, Europe and Canada.

He had also stated that the government was working closely with US aviation authorities to revive direct flight operations between Pakistan and the United States.