Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi emphasized the government’s desire for the prompt initiation of direct flights between Pakistan and the United States, highlighting that the relationship between the two countries is founded on mutual trust and cooperative engagement.
These comments were made during a meeting with US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Paul Kapur, where discussions focused on bilateral relations and recent developments in the Middle East. The meeting also included US Chargé d’Affaires Natalie A Baker, Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry, and other officials.
Naqvi noted that Pakistan-US relations have strengthened notably during President Donald Trump’s administration. The dialogue also covered enhancing collaboration in security, counterterrorism, and counternarcotics efforts. The interior minister assured that security measures have been put in place for US companies involved in the Reko Diq project.
Regarding the Middle East conflict, Naqvi expressed Pakistan’s hope for a durable and peaceful resolution. In turn, Kapur commended Pakistan’s contributions to regional peace and stability.
Naqvi’s call for direct flights between Pakistan and the US comes shortly after Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) resumed direct flights to London following a six-year suspension. The airline announced on March 29 that the inaugural flight departed from Islamabad, with plans to operate direct flights from Lahore to London as well.
Earlier, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif stated that Pakistan would soon see an expansion of the PIA fleet and the revival of direct flight routes to additional destinations in the UK, Europe, and Canada. He also mentioned ongoing cooperation with US aviation authorities to restore direct flight services to the United States. Asif expressed optimism for the future of Pakistan’s aviation sector, which has been recognized internationally for its transformation.
