Pakistan, Syria agree to enhance airlinks

[Abbas Ali]

ISLAMABAD, Nov 2 (APP): Bilateral Air Services Agreement (ASA) talks between Pakistan and Syria were held here on Thursday in the Ministry of Defence.

Pakistan delegation was headed by Major General (R) Muhammad Ashraf Chaudhry, Additional Secretary-I, Ministry of Defence whereas the Syrian delegation was lead by Eng. Faiez Aisa, Director General Civil Aviation of Syria. The talks were held in a warm and cordial atmosphere and various aspects of Civil Aviation affairs of mutual interest were discussed including replacement of the old Air Services Agreement signed between Pakistan and Syria in 1954 with the new Inter Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Template ASA.

It was also agreed to enhance the existing bilateral frame work to facilitate the traveling public between the two countries particularly pilgrims traveling to Syria.

At the end of the meeting, the new Air Services Agreement along with a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was singed which is aimed at further promotion of bilateral trade and economic ties between the two countries. The agreement provides that the designated airlines of Syria may operate seven weekly flights like from any point in Syria to Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad. Out of these, three flights may be operated to Karachi, and two flights each to Lahore and Islamabad.

The designated carrier of Pakistan can operate same number of flights from points in Pakistan to three points in Syria including its capital Damascus. Earlier, the designated carriers of the two countries were permitted to operate only three flights per week to each others territory. Open sky cargo operations are also provided to Syrian airlines under the National Aviation Policy. This expansion of bilateral frame work would pave way for enhanced trade and economic activities between the two countries.

Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

[raza]

Are there a lot of Pilgrims to Syria?