Pakistan is ready to resume direct air service with Turkmenistan, Pakistani Ambassador to Turkmenistan Faryal Leghari said in an article marking the 34th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s independence, published Monday in the Neutral Turkmenistan newspaper.

According to the ambassador, regular flights will create new opportunities for trade, tourism and cultural exchange, providing Turkmen citizens with the shortest route to the ports of Karachi and Gwadar, as well as to markets across South Asia.

Leghari noted that restoring direct flights would enable faster delivery of perishable goods, expand cooperation in education, health care and sports, and strengthen business ties.

“A two-hour flight to Ashgabat will provide Pakistani travelers with convenient access to Turkmen Airlines’ destinations in Europe, Russia, China and the Asia-Pacific region,” the ambassador emphasized.

She added that Pakistan was among the first countries to recognize Turkmenistan’s independence and remains a reliable partner in politics, economics and energy. Key areas of cooperation, she said, include the TAPI and TAP projects, as well as joint initiatives in textile trade, logistics, education and equestrian sports.

Leghari expressed hope that upcoming high-level visits — including the participation of Pakistan’s prime minister in an international forum scheduled for December in Ashgabat — will give new momentum to the bilateral partnership, rooted in historical ties and shared strategic interests.

In July 2025, Turkmenistan’s national carrier operated its first direct flight from Ashgabat to Seoul, the capital of the Republic of Korea.