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ISLAMABAD: Ariana Afghan Airlines has announced it will increase flight frequency between Kabul and Islamabad in response to rising passenger demand. Starting next week, the airline will operate three weekly flights on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, up from the current two flights on Sundays and Thursdays, according to Bakhtar News Agency.&nbsp; The expansion is expected to improve connectivity for travellers between Afghanistan and Pakistan. Ariana is state-owned and the oldest airline in the country. The company has its main base at Kabul International Airport, from which it operates domestic flights and international connections to various destinations.

Ariana Afghan Airlines (Photo: Wikimedia Commons) 

Afghanistan

Starting next week, the airline will operate three weekly flights on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, up from the current two flights on Sundays and Thursdays. 

Ariana Afghan Airlines to increase Kabul-Islamabad flights

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and China reaffirmed their strategic partnership and explored deeper cooperation in the energy and mineral sectors during a meeting at the Chinese embassy in Islamabad on Wednesday, according to an official statement.&nbsp;The information ministry said Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik met China&rsquo;s Ambassador to Pakistan, Jiang Zaidong, to discuss mutual support, economic collaboration, and a shared commitment to regional stability and prosperity.&nbsp;Malik extended a formal invitation for China to participate in the Pakistan Mineral Investment Forum (PMIF) 2026, stressing that the mining sector remains a national priority and offers &ldquo;significant opportunities for expanding bilateral cooperation.&rdquo;&nbsp;Ambassador Zaidong welcomed the invitation, stating, &ldquo;We will encourage the heads of our relevant institutions to participate in the Pakistan Mineral Investment Forum.&rdquo;&nbsp;He noted that mining remains a key pillar of China-Pakistan collaboration, highlighting the strong presence of Chinese companies in Pakistan&rsquo;s petroleum and mineral sectors, including the Saindak and Siadak projects.&nbsp;Malik reaffirmed Pakistan&rsquo;s support for China, including its stance on China&rsquo;s sovereignty and regional stability.&nbsp;Zaidong praised Pakistan&rsquo;s reform efforts, saying, &ldquo;We are committed to supporting Pakistan&rsquo;s development and will continue to facilitate the economic development of the people of Pakistan through our cooperation.&rdquo;&nbsp;The meeting concluded with both sides expressing a firm commitment to further strengthen their all-weather strategic partnership through increased investment and expanded collaboration in the mining and energy sectors.

Foreign Affairs

Pakistan and China reaffirmed their strategic partnership, focusing on energy and mineral cooperation. Both sides discussed economic collaboration, regional stability, and investment opportunities, including the Pakistan Mineral Investment Forum 2026, highlighting ongoing Chinese projects in Pakistan.

Pakistan, China deepen energy and mineral cooperation to strengthen strategic partnership

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Jordan vowed to broaden strategic, economic and political cooperation as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif hosted King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein at the Prime Minister&rsquo;s House on Saturday, marking the start of the Jordanian monarch&rsquo;s two-day official visit.&nbsp;The meeting, held shortly after King Abdullah II received a ceremonial guard of honor, centered on expanding collaboration in trade, investment, health, education, science and technology, and defense. Both sides reaffirmed their intention to deepen long-term strategic ties.<figure class="fr-media"><img src="https://paktv-assets-7d41fab8.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/uploads/1b1b81e4-db9c-487a-b705-8897149d46a5-WhatsApp Image 2025-11-15 at 6.04.51 PM.jpeg" alt="WhatsApp Image 2025-11-15 at 6.04.51 PM.jpeg" class="fr-fic fr-dib"><figcaption class="caption-cover-image text-sm text-gray-600 italic">President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif receiving King of Jordan Abudllah II upon his arrival in Islamabad. 15 November 2025.-(PMO)</figcaption></figure> &ldquo;The visit of His Majesty is a testament to the enduring friendship between Pakistan and Jordan,&rdquo; the prime minister said, welcoming the Jordanian leader and describing the engagement as &ldquo;a vital opportunity to chart an ambitious path forward for our partnership.&rdquo;&nbsp;King Abdullah II praised Pakistan&rsquo;s diplomacy and humanitarian advocacy during and after the Gaza conflict, noting, &ldquo;Jordan deeply values Pakistan&rsquo;s consistent support for our role in promoting regional stability and humanitarian relief.&rdquo; He added that the two nations &ldquo;stand united in their principled position on Gaza.&rdquo; <div class="fr-embed youtube-embed"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/EGnqvHnzR2c?si=0mTkm_P3jlEo4WKi" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen="" style="width: 100%; height: auto; aspect-ratio: 16 / 9; max-width: 100%; display: block;"></iframe>&nbsp;</div>&nbsp;Both leaders underscored a shared stance on the Palestine issue, reiterating their zero-tolerance for any displacement of Palestinians from Gaza and agreeing to enhance coordination among the eight Arab-Islamic states working with the United States on the Gaza ceasefire and the Sharm el Sheikh Gaza Peace Plan.&nbsp;The discussions also covered broader regional security, including developments in Afghanistan and India. According to the Prime Minister&rsquo;s Office, King Abdullah II acknowledged Pakistan&rsquo;s &ldquo;key role in promoting peace and stability in the region.&rdquo;<figure class="fr-media"><img src="https://paktv-assets-7d41fab8.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/uploads/fe7f61f6-ea2f-492b-ad30-54ad1e479b30-WhatsApp Image 2025-11-15 at 7.16.40 PM.jpeg" alt="WhatsApp Image 2025-11-15 at 7.16.40 PM.jpeg" class="fr-fil fr-dib"><figcaption class="caption-cover-image text-sm text-gray-600 italic">King of Jordan His Majesty Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein receives guard of honor at Prime Minister&#39;s House in Islamabad on 15 November 2025.-(PMO)</figcaption></figure> An MoU in media, culture and education was exchanged in the presence of the two leaders, marking an expansion of institutional cooperation. Later, the prime minister hosted a banquet in honor of the visiting monarch and his delegation.&nbsp;King Abdullah II arrived earlier in the day to a warm reception at Nur Khan Airbase, where President Asif Ali Zardari, PM Sharif, and senior cabinet members received him.&nbsp;The high-level Pakistani delegation present during the talks included Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Chief of the Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Information Minister Ataullah Tarar, Climate Change Minister Dr. Musaddiq Malik, and senior government officials.

Islamabad, Amman reaffirm strategic, economic, and humanitarian cooperation in high-level talks, emphasizing regional peace, Gaza support, and bilateral ties as Jordan's King Abdullah II visits Pakistan.

Jordanian King, Pakistani PM deepen strategic cooperation in Islamabad talks 

ISLAMABAD: Jordan King Abdullah II arrived in Islamabad on Saturday for a two-day official visit at the invitation of Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to discuss political, economic and cultural cooperation. According to a statement by the Prime Minister&#39;s Office (PMO),&nbsp;King Abdullah II was presented a Guard of Honour by a contingent of Pakistan&rsquo;s armed forces at the Prime Minister&rsquo;s House. King Abdullah will meet with PM Sharif and discuss matters of mutual interest, the statement said. Later, delegation-level talks, aimed at expanding cooperation between the two countries, will follow, the statement added.&nbsp;The visit reflects the long-standing brotherly ties between Pakistan and Jordan and is expected to strengthen bilateral relations, said the statement.&nbsp;President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Federal Minister for Climate Change Musaddiq Malik and Minister of State for Education Wajiha Qamar received the Jordanian monarch and his high-level delegation at Islamabad Airport.&nbsp;The king had lauded last month the Pakistani military&rsquo;s contributions to regional peace and security in a meeting with Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Asim Munir.

To discuss matters of mutual interest with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif; delegation-level talks to expand cooperation in several fields will be held as well  

Jordan's King Abdullah arrives in Pakistan to bolster  political, economic ties

PAKISTAN: Pakistan on Tuesday welcomed jubilant Sikh pilgrims from India, in the first major crossing since deadly clashes in May closed the land border between the nuclear-armed neighbors.&nbsp;More than 2,100 pilgrims were granted visas to attend a 10-day festival marking 556 years since the birth of Guru Nanak, founder of the Sikh faith, Pakistan&#39;s High Commission in New Delhi said last week.&nbsp;Islamabad and New Delhi engaged in the worst fighting since 1999 in May, with more than 70 people killed.&nbsp;The Wagah-Attari border -- the only active land crossing between the two countries -- was closed to general traffic following the violence.&nbsp;AFP journalists saw hundreds of pilgrims streaming their way through the border with their luggage in tow.&nbsp;They were received by Pakistani officials, who presented them with flowers and showered them with rose petals. Many wore garlands and chanted joyfully after crossing.&nbsp;&quot;We have nothing to do with the war,&quot; pilgrim Parvinder Kaur told AFP.&nbsp;&quot;We often watched videos of the shrines and dreamed of coming here, and now, we are finally here for the first time.&quot;&nbsp;Another said the welcome was overwhelming. &quot;It doesn&#39;t feel like we are in another country. It feels like we are among our own people,&quot; said Valeti Singh.&nbsp;&quot;We pray to God that when Pakistanis visit our side, we can reciprocate the same warmth and respect.&quot;&nbsp;&#39;Pleasant memories&#39; &nbsp;Nasir Mushtaq, a senior official at Pakistan&#39;s religious affairs ministry, told AFP around 2,000 pilgrims crossed into Pakistan on Tuesday, the eve of Guru Nanak&#39;s birthday.&nbsp;&quot;We are welcoming all the Sikh pilgrims arriving from India with greater respect, honor and hospitality than ever before,&quot; Mushtaq said.&nbsp;&quot;We want to leave a lasting impression of love, peace and respect with our Sikh guests so they return to India and elsewhere with pleasant memories of Pakistan.&quot;&nbsp;The pilgrims will gather on Wednesday at Nankana Sahib, Guru Nanak&#39;s birthplace west of Lahore, and later visit other sacred sites in Pakistan, including Kartarpur, where the guru is buried.&nbsp;Pakistan&#39;s High Commission had said last week its decision was consistent with efforts to promote &quot;inter-religious and inter-cultural harmony and understanding&quot;.&nbsp;The Kartarpur Corridor, a visa-free route that opened in 2019 allowing Indian Sikhs to visit the temple without crossing the main border, remains closed since the conflict.&nbsp;Sikhism is a monotheistic religion born in the 15th century in Punjab, a region spanning parts of what is now India and Pakistan.&nbsp;While most Sikhs migrated to India during partition, some of their most revered places of worship ended up in Pakistan, including the shrines in Nankana Sahib and Kartarpur.

Culture

Over 2,000 Indian Sikh pilgrims crossed into Pakistan via Wagah for Guru Nanak’s 556th birth anniversary, marking the first major border reopening since May’s deadly clashes. More than 2,100 pilgrims were granted visas to attend a 10-day festival  


Articles tagged with "ISLAMABAD"

Ariana Afghan Airlines to increase Kabul-Islamabad flights

Pakistan, China deepen energy and mineral cooperation to strengthen strategic partnership

Jordanian King, Pakistani PM deepen strategic cooperation in Islamabad talks

Jordan's King Abdullah arrives in Pakistan to bolster political, economic ties

Indian Sikh pilgrims enter Pakistan, first major crossing since May conflict