ISLAMABAD: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has resumed direct flights between Karachi and Iraq's Najaf, the Pakistani embassy in Baghdad said on Sunday.
Najaf, a city 160 kilometers south of the Iraqi capital, holds great significance for Shiites because of its holy sites. Many pilgrims travel there during the first two months of the lunar Islamic calendar for religious reasons.
During an August visit to Islamabad by the Iraqi foreign minister, the two countries had discussed how Pakistan could facilitate pilgrims to the Arab country.
"PIA resumed direct flights from Karachi to Najaf. Inaugural flight landed at Najaf Airport on 30th October 2021," the Pakistan embassy in Baghdad said in a tweet. "Ambassador of Pakistan and other Iraqi Government officials received the flight."
The Pakistani embassy appreciated Pakistani and Iraqi civil aviation authorities, PIA management as well as the Najaf governor and airport authorities for the resumption of flight operations.
PIA Chief Executive Officer Arshad Malik appreciated Pakistan's Ambassador to Iraq Ahmed Amjad Ali, Defence Attache Brigadier (retired) Wasi and staff for spearheading and making it happen.
In September this year, the PIA operated special flights to Baghdad and Najaf in Iraq and the Syrian capital of Damascus to facilitate people visiting the two Arab countries for religious pilgrimages.
