New Delhi, Jan 1: Raising hopes of normalisation of relations, a green and white Boeing 737 of the Pakistan International Airlines touched down at the Indira Gandhi International airport here today marking resumption of airlinks between the two countries which had remained suspended for two years after the attack on Parliament. The PIA plane landed here at 1600 hours with just 40 passengers on board. Indian airlines will resume its flights to Pakistan under a recent agreement between the two countries from January nine. The flight made true dreams of many from Pakistan eager to meet their relatives and further business relations in India.
"This 45-minute flight cuts down travelling time to India from Pakistan drastically. Earlier, I had to spend nearly 20 hours at the Dubai airport before coming here," said Lahore- based Aamir Abbas, who owns a air-conditioning firm there. Elated over the saving of time and money, Abbas who looks forward to business deals here, said that interaction between the countries should increase and "the ice will definitely melt."
If Baby Noor became the face of the thaw in Indo-Pak relations after the resumption of Lahore-Delhi bus service, it was the turn of 10-month old Sidra who was eager to meet her father in Bhopal. "My daughter Ayesha was married in a family in Bhopal and her husband later settled in the United States," the infant's grandfather Yusuf Iftekar said.
Bureau Report