ISLAMABAD: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) on Thursday resumed direct flights to Mashhad , Iran after a five-year gap.
Spokesperson Abdullah Khan told that the first PIA flight departed from Lahore to Mashhad on Wednesday night with 165 passengers on board while direct flight operation from Karachi to Mashhad will begin today.
In a post on social-networking website Twitter, Iranian Ambassador to Pakistan Mohammad Ali Hosseini said that the two countries have agreed to promote air cooperation.
CEO PIA Arshid Malik said flights for Mashad are being resumed to facilitate the pilgrims. Direct flight for Mashhad was old outstanding demand of pilgrims.
Resumption of flight to Mashhad has made the access to the holy places possible for the pilgrims..