Direct flights between Pakistan and Maldives on the horizon as PM stresses connectivity

Why This Matters

Key context: <p>Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday announced that he had issued instructions for direct flights between Pakistan and the Maldives.</p> <p>Addressing the Pakistan-Maldives Business Forum, attended by <a href="https://www.dawn.com/news/2038736/pm-shehbaz-vows-to-strengthen-maldives-ties-for-all-time-to-come-20-mous-signed">visiting</a> Maldivian President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, the premier said that once the dignitary returned, a delegation Pakistani government officials and businessmen would be sent to Malé. He said that the delegation would arrive within the next week or so.</p> <p>“I want to say that connectivity is very important. We don’t have direct flights from Malé to Islamabad or Karachi so this air link is very important,” PM Shehbaz said, addressing Muizzu.</p> <p>“I have already given instructions to our Ministry of Civil Aviation to prepare a quick feasibility [study], be it Pakistan International Airlines, or any other airline in Pakistan, to find the ways and means to take the first flight comprising tourists [and the] business community to Malé,” he announced.</p> <p>The premier said he had been informed by President Asif Ali Zardari that he gave instructions “to his airline to work out a quick plan to start flights from [the] Maldives to Pakistan”.</p> <p>“I have given instructions to our Civil Aviation Department to immediately invite a delegation from [the] Maldives and work out a plan whereby we can start these air flights between the two countries as early as possible,” PM Shehbaz added.</p> <hr /> <p><em>More to follow</em></p> This development from dawn.com highlights ongoing changes in the sector.