ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said on Friday that Pakistan seeks the early launch of direct flights to the United States and stressed that bilateral relations rest on mutual trust and cooperation.
He made these remarks during a meeting with US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Paul Kapur, where both sides discussed bilateral ties and developments in the Middle East, according to the interior ministry statement.
Officials, including US Chargรฉ d’Affaires Natalie A Baker, Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry, and other senior representatives, attended the meeting and reviewed security cooperation, counterterrorism, and counternarcotics collaboration.
Naqvi said Pakistan-US relations strengthened during President Donald Trumpโs tenure and highlighted cooperation in securing US companies working on the Reko Diq project.
Both sides also discussed regional developments, and Pakistan expressed hope for a peaceful and lasting resolution to the Middle East conflict.
In response, Paul Kapur praised Pakistanโs efforts in promoting peace and stability in the region.
Naqviโs proposal for direct flights follows the earlier resumption of Pakistan International Airlines services to London after a six-year gap.
Officials said Pakistan is working with US aviation authorities to restore broader international connectivity and expand its aviation network.
Meanwhile Defence Minister Khawaja Asif earlier stated that Pakistan aims to expand PIA operations to Europe the United Kingdom and North America while improving aviation standards to meet international expectations.
Weeks earlier Pakistan International Airlines resumed direct flights to London from Islamabad marking a major step in restoring its global route network.
