Pakistan and Indonesia to start direct flights
The International Creatives Exchange
(ICE) and the Association of the Indonesian Tours and Travel Agencies (ASITA)
have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to initiate direct flights
between Pakistan and Indonesia, aiming to boost tourism between the two
nations. The signing ceremony took place at the Al Barkat Palace in South
Jakarta on Monday, formalizing an 11-point agreement that seeks to enhance
travel and tourism between the two friendly countries.
Atta Ul Karim, Chairman of ICE,
expressed his enthusiasm for this partnership during an interview with APP in
Jakarta. Born in Pakistan and raised in Indonesia, Karim emphasized his
commitment to fostering cooperation between the two nations. “I was born in
Pakistan, but grew up and succeeded in Indonesia. I am grateful to both
countries,” he said, wearing traditional golden-brown batik. “One of the best
ways to show my gratitude is by continuously working to promote tourism between
these two brotherly nations,” he added.
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ASITA President Mrs. Rusmiati, who
was also present, shared her excitement about the MoU. She highlighted
Pakistan's untapped tourism potential, noting that despite its natural beauty,
it remains largely undiscovered on the international tourism scene. “Pakistan
has an incredible landscape, comparable to places like Switzerland and New
Zealand,” she remarked. “Both Indonesia and Pakistan are among the largest
Muslim-majority countries, offering halal tourism destinations that could
attract a significant number of visitors,” Rusmiati added optimistically.
ASITA, founded in 1971, is
Indonesia’s leading tourism association with 89 branches and over 7,000 travel
agencies across the Indonesian archipelago. Mrs. Siti Nur Azizah, daughter of
the Indonesian Vice President, and Mr. Rahmat Hindiarta Kusuma, Chargé
d’Affaires of the Indonesian Embassy in Islamabad, were among the distinguished
guests who witnessed the signing ceremony.
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With this MoU, both ICE and ASITA
are optimistic that the direct flights will not only increase tourism but also
strengthen cultural and economic ties between Pakistan and Indonesia.
Source: The
Nation