Submit your Article

Islamabad: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is on the verge of a shutdown as it canceled over 500 flights in the past 11 days due to the unavailability of fuel, ARY News reported.

PIA is facing its worst crisis in history as Pakistan State Oil (PSO) has cut its fuel supply over unpaid dues. The move forced the airline to cancel 537 flights since Oct 13.

On Thursday, as many as 49 domestic and international flights were canceled from Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Quetta, Multan, Peshawar and other cities after the Pakistan State Oil (PSO) slashed its fuel supply to the PIA, sources said.

The flights include Karachi to Islamabad and Karachi to Turbat, all of which have to be called off.

Meanwhile, PIA’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Amir Hayat has written a ‘motivation letter’ to the employees amid the financial crisis, closure of the flight operations and the ongoing privatization process, as per ARY News.

Hayat asked all employees to maintain a concerted focus on ensuring organizational compliance through closely-knit teamwork ahead of the airline’s privatization.

PIA recently paid PKR 220m (approximately $789,000) to Pakistan State Oil (PSO) for a two-day fuel supply, ARY News reported on Saturday.

The PIA spokesperson said that the airline has paid PKR 500m so far to the PSO for the provision of fuel, adding that the national flag carrier is making payments to PSO daily.

PIA is currently acquiring fuel for profitable routes including Saudi Arabia, Canada, China, Kuala Lumpur and others. 

ANI

Tanahun: The Anbukhareni Rural Municipality in Tanahun district has opted for commercial avocado farming as an intervention to grow more agricultural produces for better livelihood options for the locals.

As part of 'One Ward, One Production', the rural municipality distributed a total of 1,840 avocado plants in its ward no 2 by offering 75 percent in subsidy to the farmers, chief administrative officer of the rural municipality Bishnu Prasad Sharma said. 

The farmers were provided with the avocado plants as it starts yielding in three to five years and is profitable in terms of productions and market as well.       

Likewise, the Agriculture Knowledge Centre in the district said that avocado farming is kept in priority in the district under the fruits areas development programme.

The Centre has also grown avocado saplings from last year.  

The avocado farming could be done from 200 metres to 1,600 metres above the sea level and the district's climate and land's altitude is appropriate for growing avocado. 

Chairman of Anbukhareni Rural Municipality Shukra Chuman said that avocado farming was started in the rural municipality by utilizing the barren land to ensure income of local beneficiaries and grow local productions.

The farmers get competitive price of avocado in the local market and also its demand is still high in the hospitality sector.

Washington: The United States announced a latest $150m for arms and equipment military aid package to bolster Kyiv to fight and succeed against Russia.

The US government in a latest package announces arms and equipment which includes air defense, artillery, anti-tank, and other capabilities, said a press statement from US Department of State.

The US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken said in a statement on Thursday, “This new package of arms and equipment includes air defense, artillery, anti-tank, and other capabilities which will further enhance Ukraine’s capacity to defend its territory against Russian offensives while continuing its counter-offensive against Russia’s forces. Ukraine’s forces are fighting bravely to reclaim territory seized by Russia's forces, and this additional support will help them continue making progress. This package provides $150m of arms and equipment authorized under previously directed drawdowns for Ukraine.”

US while reiterating its support for the war torn Ukraine noted that the US and its ally partners will continue to support Ukraine until Russia withdraws its forces from the country.

Quoting the statement, “Russia started this war and could end it at any time by withdrawing its forces from Ukraine and stopping its brutal attacks, which continue to take the lives of innocent people. Until it does, the United States and the coalition we have built of more than 50 nations will continue to stand with Ukraine, and we will continue to work with Congress to help Ukraine secure its future—a future in which its people rebuild and live safely in a resilient and thriving democracy.”

On Aug 14, the United States government announced security assistance of $200m for Ukraine which continues to defend its territory and protect its people.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a US State Department statement that the package, which is valued at $200m, includes air defense munitions, artillery rounds, anti-armour capabilities, and additional mine-clearing equipment.

Moreover, In July this year, the US government announced a $1.3bn military aid package for Ukraine—during its ongoing conflict with Russia—including air defense systems and attack drones.

According to the US Department of Defence, the package includes four more National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS), medium-range air defense batteries that have helped Ukraine withstand ongoing Russian barrages of missiles and drones.Notably, it is the same system that is used to protect Washington DC and the area around the US capital.

The package will give Kyiv a total of 12 NASAMS. The US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said last November that the NASAMS had a 100 percent success rate in intercepting Russian attacks, CNN reported.

Lloyd Austin, United States Secretary of Defense on July 18 said following an international meeting of countries providing aid to Ukraine “Make no mistake: We are determined to support Ukraine’s fight for freedom for as long as it takes.”

ANI

Kathmandu: Commercial paragliding flights have commenced in Chandragiri, Kathmandu. Babu Adventures, the company founded by Nepal’s first high-altitude paragliding instructor and pilot, Sanobabu Sunuwar, has launched paragliding services.

Sunuwar, who has the remarkable achievements of scaling Mount Everest and paragliding from its summit to sea level, is also the recipient of the ‘Adventurer of the Year-2012’ award from National Geographic.

Paragliding flights take off from Chandragiri Hill, situated 20 minutes west of Bhaleshwar Temple. The flight starts at Chandragiri, which is 2,300 meters above sea level, and ascends up to a hundred meters in the sky before landing in Chitlang at 1,700 meters above sea level.

During the paragliding experience, participants can enjoy breathtaking aerial views of Bhaleshwar Temple and most parts of the Kathmandu Valley. The flight also offers panoramic views of regions such as Rasuwa and Dhading, as well as an enchanting perspective of Makwanpur’s Tistung, Palung, and the man-made Indrasarovar Lake.

The flight route predominantly traverses lush forests, enhancing the experience. According to government regulations, the company is permitted to fly up to 12 paragliders simultaneously, serving up to 100 people daily.

Sunuwar, who runs a paragliding school in Swarek Maidan, Syangja, believes that adventure air tourism has vast potential across Nepal and they've invested in Chandragiri to provide Kathmandu residents with a taste of flying in their city.

He said, “We’re on a mission to promote paragliding throughout Nepal. Given the high population density in Kathmandu, we hope to quickly and effectively spread its appeal.” The company is also prepared for ‘cross-country’ paragliding. They have invested around Rs 15m in establishing paragliding operations in Chandragiri, with plans for further investment.

Regarding the fee, the company charges Rs 8,000 per person for paragliding at Chandragiri, which includes a 15 to 25-minute paragliding flight, photographs, videos, and transportation from Kathmandu to the paragliding site. Photo and video equipment are provided by the company. Foreign nationals are charged Rs 12,000 per person for the same package. Nepali tourists who don’t require transportation by the company can enjoy paragliding at a rate of Rs 7,200.

To make a booking for paragliding in Chandragiri, interested individuals should contact Babu Adventures at least one day in advance. Bookings can be made through the company’s website.