In a strategic move to deepen regional connectivity, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is set to begin international flights to Uzbekistan under the directives of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The development is part of a broader initiative to boost trade, tourism, and cultural cooperation with Central Asia.
This announcement came during a high-level meeting between Haroon Akhtar Khan, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Industries and Production, and Umid Shadiev, Uzbekistan’s Minister for Tourism. The meeting, also attended by Uzbek Ambassador Alisher Tukhtaev, focused on unlocking tourism potential and enhancing bilateral relations.
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Khan emphasized Pakistan’s readiness to support joint ventures in tourism and heritage preservation, highlighting Prime Minister Sharif’s vision of promoting regional people-to-people ties. He noted that Central Asia presents vast untapped opportunities for mutual economic and cultural benefit.
To further this vision, private airlines will also be brought in to speed up connectivity and boost economic exchanges. Both nations are working on simplifying visa procedures and travel services to make cross-border tourism more accessible and efficient.
