RAWALPINDI: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) Chief Executive Officer Air Marshal Arshad Malik reached Kabul on Tuesday on a one-day official visit.

The PIA CEO requested Afghanistan’s Civil Aviation Authority to allow increase in the airline’s flights to Kabul and approve its flights from Kandahar and Mazar-i-Sharif to further strengthen ties between the two countries.

A PIA spokesman said that during the visit, the CEO met Dr Qasim Wafizada, chief of Afghan CAA, other officials of the authority and representatives of trade associations.

In their meeting, Air Marshal Malik and Dr Wafizada agreed to increase air connectivity between Pakistan and Afghanistan. The latter called on the PIA to play a role in boosting medical tourism in Pakistan. The meeting also discussed ways of boosting of cargo service.

The PIA CEO visited the national flag carrier’s office in Kabul and inquired from the visitors about quality of the airline’s service. He urged the PIA staff to promote the airline’s marketing with an advertisement campaign.

The PIA wants to strengthen its operations in Afghanistan as directed by the government.

The PIA CEO also met the heads of the Afghan chambers of commerce and industry. The meeting focused on promoting bilateral trade links, cargo and tourism and developing medical tourism in Pakistan.

Air Marshal Malik also visited the Pakistan Embassy and met Ambassador Mansoor Ahmed, the consul general and other diplomatic staff.

Published in Dawn, February 17th, 2021