PIA inaugural flight to Urumqi sets off
Staff Report

RAWALPINDI—Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) initiated direct flights from Islamabad to Urumqi with an inaugural flight taking off here this morning at 11 a.m from the federal capital.
PIA will fly four weekly flights, one each from Islamabad and Urumqi on every Monday and Friday with a one way fare of Rs. 15300 and a round trip fare of Rs. 21250.
Addressing an inaugural ceremony here on Thursday, PIA's DistrlC,t Manager .NavwawSsatd the new route will be attractive for business community, corporate clients and tourists.
PIA, as a national airline would continue to provide value added services to its customers, he seed.
The airline was capandh*. its operations with new international flights to Colombo, Nairobi and Dubai and domestic flights to Saidu Sharif, he said adding they had also begun a shuttle service between Islamabad and Lahore with a flight after every three hours.
Charge D Affaires of the Chinese Embassy said PIA had the distinction to take a flight to China in April, 1964, which was the first air link by a non-communist:d61intry with his homeland.
He said Pakistan and China had an all weather friendship and they supported and protectedsovererty and territorial intestrity of each other.
He said the 21s` century was an era of globalization and both Pakistan and China should increase their economic and commercial ties and people to people contacts besides the already strong political, diplomatic and military relations.
Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang province, was one of China's most important cities which was a hub of commercial activities and a great place for tourists, he added.
UNIDO is also upgrading various measurement and testing laboratories, oriented to export industries for international accreditation to ISO- 17025 by providing equipment and training as well as fielding experts to assess, upgrade and conduct accreditation of these laboratories.