The CEO of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), Air Marshal Arshad Malik, announced Saturday that a plane had successfully arrived at Damascus International Airport after a 22-year absence.
According to the CEO’s official Twitter account: “Alhamdulillah, PIA has finally arrived in #Damascus, carrying pilgrims after 22 years.”
According to Arshad Malik, the restart of aviation service between the two countries “is intended to boost religious tourism [as well as] restore diplomatic relations with Syria.”
The minister went on to say that the development was “in accordance with [Imran Khan’s] vision for the PTI [and] the government of Pakistan.”
His team’s efforts were also recognized, with the ambassador expressing his gratitude, saying, “Salute to Ambassador Air [Marshal] Saeed M Khan for his tremendous support.” PIA is still alive and well.”
According to Gulf News, the Pakistan International Airlines plane arrived at Damascus International Airport on Friday after departing from Karachi.
Ghulam Sarwar Khan, the Minister of Civil Aviation, was among the almost 300 passengers on board the flight.
Zouheir Khzeim, Syria’s minister of transportation, said: “The flight is the first after a two-decade gap, and it is a crucial milestone in the development of economic ties between Syria and Pakistan.”
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