Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) Thursday has resumed direct flights to Iran after a five-year gap to develop people-to-people contacts and boost the tourism industry.

As per details, PIA has resumed flight operations for Iran after a suspension of five years and a first PIA flight PK-119 has departed for Iran’s Mashhad with 165 passengers on board.

PIA spokesperson Abdullah Khan told that the first PIA flight departed from Lahore to Mashhad on Wednesday night, while direct flights from Karachi to Mashhad will begin on Saturday.

Commenting on the flights’ resumption, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Pakistan International Airlines, Arshad Malik said that the move will provide direct and easy travel facilities to the people willing to travel to Iran from Pakistan.

He further said that PIA will remain at the forefront to ensure pilgrims can visit the Holy places in Iran with ease.