Saudi Airlines opens Peshawar office as governor seeks direct Saudi flights

PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi on Tuesday called for direct flights from Peshawar to Jeddah, Madinah and Riyadh and urged the establishment of a Saudi consulate in the provincial capital to make travel and visa-related services easier for pilgrims, workers and other travellers.

He made the remarks during the visit of Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan Nawaf bin Saeed Ahmed Al-Malkiy, after both officials jointly inaugurated a Saudi Airlines office in Peshawar, according to an official statement. The event was attended by the Saudi country director, embassy officials, travel agents and members of the business community.

The governor said the new office would improve travel services for people from the province, especially Haj and Umrah pilgrims as well as those going to Saudi Arabia for employment. He noted that a large number of people from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa travel to the kingdom each year and said direct flights from Peshawar to the three Saudi cities had become an urgent requirement.

Mr Kundi also asked the Saudi envoy to help facilitate the opening of a Saudi consulate in Peshawar, saying such a step would significantly improve access to visa and consular services for residents of the province. He said Pakistan and Saudi Arabia shared historic and brotherly relations founded on mutual trust and cooperation, and expressed the view that stronger business-to-business engagement would further deepen economic ties between the two countries.

Meeting at Governor’s House

Earlier, Ambassador Al-Malkiy visited the Governor’s House, where he and Governor Kundi discussed Pakistan-Saudi Arabia relations and other matters of mutual interest, the statement said.

During the meeting, the governor briefed the ambassador on Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s mineral wealth, oil and gas resources, hydropower potential and the historical importance of Peshawar as the cradle of the ancient Gandhara civilisation.

According to the statement, Ambassador Al-Malkiy appreciated the hospitality extended to him and praised Governor Kundi’s efforts to present a positive image of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The ambassador said Saudi Arabia valued its longstanding friendship with Pakistan.

The visit also included a ceremonial exchange. The ambassador recorded his comments in the visitors’ book, while the governor presented him with a traditional handcrafted wooden souvenir from Dera Ismail Khan.