TEHRAN – Iran and Pakistan have expanded direct air connections following the signing of a new air transport cooperation agreement during President Masoud Pezeshkian’s recent visit to Islamabad.

Under the deal, weekly flight capacity between the two countries has been raised to 24, paving the way for new services such as Iran Air’s Mashhad–Karachi route. The agreement also covers the removal of restrictions on flight paths, joint navigation projects, and expanded aviation training programs.

Hamidreza Sanei, deputy head of Iran’s Civil Aviation Organization, said Pakistan had long sought to operate flights carrying its pilgrims via Mashhad to Najaf, particularly during the Arbaeen pilgrimage season.

He noted that with the new arrangements, flights between key cities including Lahore, Karachi, and Islamabad are being expanded, with several Iranian carriers recently securing approvals.

Talks are also under way to establish direct flights on the Quetta–Zahedan route, which currently requires circuitous journeys via Doha and Tehran.

“We have held constructive meetings with Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority, and the outcome has been submitted to the countries’ joint economic committee,” Sanei said.

Direct Tehran–Islamabad flights were officially inaugurated on September 18 with the landing of an Iran Airtour Airbus A300 in the Pakistani capital.

With the launch, weekly direct services rose to five, including Iran Air’s Mashhad–Karachi, Taban Airlines’ Mashhad–Lahore and Mashhad–Karachi, and Mahan Air’s Tehran–Lahore flights.

The 22nd Iran-Pakistan Joint Economic Committee met September 24–25 after a three-year hiatus, co-chaired by Iran’s Transport Minister Farzaneh Sadegh and Pakistan’s Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan. The session concluded with 13 new agreements across various economic sectors.

EF/MA