Pakistan's three major airports to install e-gates for international travellers
The e-gates to be installed at the international arrival and departure lounges of the three airports will simplify and speed up the immigration process and the international commuters will no longer have to wait in long queues.
Earlier, the PAA has concluded the design phase of its e-Gates project for Islamabad, Karachi and Lahore international airports after a series of stakeholder workshops.
A PAA spokesman said the initiative aims `to introduce biometricbased automated border control at major airports to significantly enhance passenger facilitation, reduce wait times, and improve security.'
German consultancy M2P Consulting will now develop technical specifications and tender documents to invite proposals from global e-Gate providers.
The project reflects PAA`s vision `to integrate smart technologies into airport operations, ensuring seamless and secure travel experiences, the spokesman said.
Earlier, aviation sources have confirmed that Pakistan has restored its flight operations to the Gulf countries after the reopening of airspace over Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain.
The resumption of flights follows temporary suspension of operations by national carrier Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) late last night due to escalating tensions in the region. The PIA has now restored its Gulf-bound flights; however, delays are still expected in departures.
According to flight schedules, a total of 32 flights from Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, and other airports across the country have been cancelled, including 14 Qatar Airways flights.
Airline sources added that 55 flights - both arrivals and departures - have been delayed at airports in Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, and other cities.
Several flights had to be diverted to alternate airports due to the deteriorating situation in the Gulf.
Bahrain and Kuwait resumed operations earlier, followed by Qatar later in the night, paving the way for partial restoration of services.
Severe delays are being reported across multiple routes. PIA flight PK 747 from Lahore to Madinah is delayed by 13 hours, while PK 247 from Lahore to Dammam faces a 6.5-hour delay.
Qatar Airways flight QR 621 from Doha to Karachi and Lahore is delayed by 10 hours. PIA flight PK 233 from Islamabad to Dubai is delayed by a staggering 15 hours.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The National
35 minutes ago
- The National
Saudi Arabia is hedging against a future where oil may lose value
When a Saudi consortium led by utilities giant Acwa Power signed $8.3 billion in deals this July to build seven solar and wind projects across the kingdom, it marked more than just another line entry in the country's growing clean energy portfolio. The projects will add 15 gigawatts of new renewable capacity, suggesting that Saudi Arabia is committing serious money and scale to green energy. But does this mean the world's largest oil exporter is genuinely changing how it invests in energy? That question matters because oil still dominates the kingdom's economy, with Saudi Arabia shipping more than 15 per cent of total global crude exports last year. Those petrodollars fill state coffers and provide the dry powder for its $940 billion sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund. That foundation is not going anywhere. But the kingdom is looking to hedge its bets, by maximising oil revenues today and investing in clean energy, technology and industry to prepare for a future in which global demand for oil is expected to peak around 2030 and begin a steady decline. Acwa Power deal The Acwa Power deal is part of that strategy. It aligns with Saudi Arabia's 'green initiative', a programme launched by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in 2021 to curb the kingdom's reliance on oil money and diversify its economy. The deal also supports its ambitious target of generating 50 per cent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030 − which would be a meteoric rise from 1 per cent in 2023. It should also go a way to helping the kingdom reach its longer-term goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2060. However, some see Saudi Arabia's continued investment in fossil fuels as a contradiction that undermines the credibility of these climate pledges. The country contends that it needs to balance the realities of energy security with long-term decarbonisation. That balance comes at a price. Major green projects require huge investment, even though Saudi Arabia can produce renewable energy at a fairly low cost, thanks to abundant sunshine and low-cost solar panels. The highest hurdle is the upfront investment. For its part, the Public Investment Fund plays a big role in making that possible, by offering long-term contracts and financial support to reduce risk and attract private capital. Without that state backing, such projects are unlikely to be commercially viable, and private sector participation would be far harder to secure. State support was central to the Acwa Power deal. The PIF and Aramco Power, a subsidiary of oil giant Saudi Aramco, joined the consortium that signed long-term contracts with the state electricity buyer to develop the five solar farms and two wind projects across the kingdom. But even as deals like this move forward, the need for large-scale investment is only growing. Electricity demand in Saudi Arabia has grown rapidly for decades, fuelled by economic expansion, population growth and rising living standards, though the pace has eased slightly in recent years. Households still account for nearly 50 per cent of total electricity use, with air-conditioning alone responsible for most of that − a necessity in summer months when temperatures can reach a scorching 50°C. What's driving the demand? However, other factors are also driving that demand, including the energy needs of water desalination (removing salt from seawater to produce fresh water), as well as heavy industry and digital infrastructure, as the kingdom looks to diversify its economy. But meeting that demand still relies heavily on fossil fuels. At present, the country burns about one million barrels of oil equivalent each day to meet electricity needs. And that carries not just a financial cost, but a climate burden. Those two pressures are precisely why Saudi Arabia is investing in renewable energy. The thinking is that by switching to solar and wind power, the kingdom can free up more oil to export. This boosts petrodollar revenues and slashes the kingdom's scope 2 emissions simultaneously. It is a win-win. This is where green finance comes into focus, and not just in Saudi Arabia but in the broader Middle East region. One way that countries finance their energy transitions is through issuing green bonds. And here, Saudi Arabia has fallen behind its neighbour, the UAE. In 2024, the Emirates issued $7.4 billion in green bonds, the highest in the region, compared to $5.6 billion from Saudi Arabia, according to S&P Global Ratings. Yet when it comes to scale, Saudi Arabia is aiming far higher. It plans to build 130 gigawatts of renewable energy by 2030, nearly 10 times the UAE's 14-gigawatt target. Some may view this as a reputational play; an attempt to present Saudi Arabia as more than just an oil state. But that overlooks the economic logic behind it. This is not about walking away from fossil fuels. It is about risk management. By investing in clean energy, the kingdom is hedging against a future where oil may lose value. It is not a leap of faith. It is a calculated move to use current oil revenues to maintain relevance in a changing global energy system. That logic is reflected in the Acwa Power deal. It is not a green revolution, but it marks a shift in posture. Saudi Arabia is no longer experimenting at the edges of clean energy; it is now building at industrial scale. Oil will remain central to the Saudi economy for years, but Riyadh is ensuring that when the world moves on, it will have more than crude to offer.
Zawya
13 hours ago
- Zawya
Sharjah Chamber reports 12% membership growth in H1 2025
The Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) recorded a strong performance and significant growth across key metrics during the first half of 2025, reporting more than 37,000 new memberships and membership renewals, marking a growth of over 12 percent compared to the same period in 2024, which registered 33,000 memberships. The combined export and re-export values of registered member companies reached approximately AED11 billion in the first half of 2025, as reported by SCCI. The Chamber also issued 41,294 certificates of origin during the same period, marking a 6 percent increase compared to the previous year. This reflects SCCI's leading efforts to support the business and investment environment in the emirate of Sharjah. SCCI's certificates of origin for H1 2025 showed that Saudi Arabia topped the list of importers from Sharjah, with export and re-export values exceeding AED5.9 billion, reinforcing strong bilateral trade ties and Sharjah's position as a key supplier to Gulf markets. Oman ranked second with more than AED 1.6 billion, followed by Iraq with over AED 1.5 billion. Other prominent export destinations included Qatar, the United Kingdom, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kuwait, and India. In his remarks, Abdallah Sultan Al Owais, Chairman of SCCI, stated that the surge in memberships during the first half of 2025 is a testament to the growing investor confidence in Sharjah's business ecosystem. He emphasised that the emirate's favorable investment environment and its array of competitive advantages and incentives have positioned Sharjah as a major business hub and investment destination. For his part, Mohammed Ahmed Amin Al Awadi, Director-General of SCCI, noted that the Chamber's strong performance in H1 2025 reflects the effective rollout of its 2025–2027 strategic plan. The strategy focuses on Sharjah's economic empowerment, entrepreneurial development, private sector competitiveness, and the creation of a growth-oriented investment climate. During the first half of this year, the Sharjah Chamber remained committed to diversifying its initiatives and launching strategic economic and trade events, programs, and exhibitions aimed at advancing the emirate's ongoing economic development. The Chamber engaged in a series of business meetings with official, diplomatic, and trade delegations to foster strategic partnerships between Sharjah's private sector and global counterparts. It also facilitated targeted discussions with sectoral business groups and key entrepreneurs. As part of its efforts to expand international cooperation and open new market opportunities for Sharjah's business community, the Sharjah Chamber organized two successful trade missions to India and Mauritius the first half of 2025. These missions featured high-level meetings with government representatives, entrepreneurs, and investors to foster cross-border business engagement.
Zawya
13 hours ago
- Zawya
Mideast Stocks: Most Gulf shares gain on Fed easing bets; Egypt on winning streak
Most Gulf equities rose on Monday, recovering some of the previous session's losses due to prospects the U.S. Federal Reserve would cut interest rates, but held back by weaker oil prices and a mixed bag of corporate earnings. The U.S. added fewer jobs than expected in July, with sharp downward revisions to previous months, increasing bets on a September rate cut. According to the CME FedWatch tool, the odds for a cut now stand at about 80%, up from 63.1% a week ago. Interest rate moves by the Fed have a significant impact on the Gulf region's monetary policy because most of its currencies are pegged to the U.S. dollar. The Qatari benchmark index rose 0.1%, with most stocks posting gains. The leading gainers included Commercial Bank, which rose 0.9%, and Qatar Electricity and Water with a 1% rise. Late on Sunday, Qatar's main electricity and desalinated water supplier QEWC reported a 2.7% increase in half-year net profit. Dubai's benchmark stock index gained 0.2% after two consecutive session of losses, supported by industry, utilities and finance sector shares. Tolls operator Salik gained 1% and Gulf Navigation Holding rose for a second day, ending 5.2% higher. The maritime and shipping firm said last week it had raised its foreign ownership limit to 100% from 49%. Saudi Arabia's benchmark stock index snapped the previous session's losses and edged up 0.1%. ACWA Power advanced 3.1% and Saudi Arabian Mining added 2.2%. However, Nice One Beauty Digital Marketing slumped 10% after the e-commerce company posted a quarterly net loss compared to a net profit a year earlier. Among other losers, oil giant Saudi Aramco shed 0.4% ahead of its earnings announcement on Tuesday. Elsewhere, oil prices - a catalyst for the Gulf's financial markets - fell to their lowest in a week after OPEC+ agreed to another large output increase in September. Brent was down 2.3% at $68.06 a barrel by 1310 GMT. The Abu Dhabi benchmark index fell for the second straight session, slipping 0.2% with most sectors in the red. ADNOC Drilling lost 1% and Abu Dhabi Aviation dropped 1.4%. The diversified aviation services provider, ADA posted a 79% decrease in quarterly net profit attributable to shareholders. Outside the Gulf, Egypt's blue-chip index advanced for a third day and rose 1.3%, lifted by a 4.9% increase in Qala Holdings and 2.2% gain in Commercial International Bank. SAUDI ARABIA up 0.1% to 10,839 KUWAIT lost 0.6% to 9,198 QATAR rose 0.1% to 11,180 EGYPT up 1.3% to 34,705 BAHRAIN fell 0.1% to 1,949 OMAN up 0.6% to 4,800 ABU DHABI down 0.2% to 10,299 DUBAI gained 0.2% to 6,126 (Reporting by Md Manzer Hussain; Editing by Helen Popper)
