Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has decided to resume its flights from Skardu Airport following the suspension during the winter season due to adverse weather conditions in the area. A spokesperson for the national carrier announced that PIA will resume its service with two weekly flights to Dubai, UAE, starting from April 29. It should be recalled that PIA had launched international flights from Skardu to Dubai in August last year. PIA officials have highlighted that these flights will not only promote international tourism but also facilitate trekking and expeditions in the Baltistan Region. Moreover, they expect that these flights will enhance international tourism, trade, cultural exchange, and diplomatic relations between various countries and Pakistan. Following the suspension of flights to Dubai due to heavy rainfall, a spokesperson for PIA stated that flight operations will resume as soon as the situation at the Dubai airport improves. The spokesperson added that the adverse weather condit ions in Dubai and Sharjah resulted in the cancellation of 22 flights from Pakistan to Dubai since April 16. Passengers impacted by the canceled flights are being given priority for re-accommodation on the next flights. He further stated that additional flights are being arranged to facilitate the repatriation of passengers stranded in Dubai. On the other hand, Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) Director General Khaqan Murtaza advised the passengers whose flights had been canceled to contact the PIA call center for flight information. Source: Pro Pakistani
Punjab Wants Interior Ministry to Shut Down Internet During By-Elections
In anticipation of by-elections slated for tomorrow in 22 constituencies throughout Pakistan, Punjab's provincial government has requested the federal Interior Ministry to suspend mobile and internet services in the affected districts and tehsils. This request was shared in a letter from Punjab's home department, which emphasized the importance of preserving public order and averting any potential disruptions. The request comes as these regions are set to hold by-polls, over two months following the countrywide general elections held on February 8. The letter specifies that the suspension of mobile phone and internet services is being requested for the cities of Lahore, Sheikhupura, Kasur, Sadiqabad, Kot Chutta, and Dera Ghazi Khan. Additionally, service suspensions are sought in the tehsils of Talagang, Chakwal, Kallar Kahar, Gujrat, Ali Pur Chatha, Zafarwal, and Bhakkar city. Copies of the letter have also been dispatched to the Punjab chief secretary, the inspector general, the chairman of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), and other officials. Despite government promises of uninterrupted network connectivity, mobile internet services were also disrupted on February 8. On the day of the vote, services were 'temporarily' cut off even before 8 am, which marked the official start time for voting. By-elections are scheduled to take place tomorrow across approximately two dozen constituencies in both the National and provincial assemblies. Specifically, the by-polls will include at least five seats in the National Assembly, 12 in the Punjab Assembly, two seats each in the assemblies of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, and one in the Sindh legislature. In Punjab, the constituencies of NA-132 (Kasur) and NA-119 (Lahore), previously held by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz respectively, will be contested in the upcoming by-polls. Source: Pro Pakistani