Direct Flights, Influencer Exchange Announced as Both Sides Highlight Historic and Economic Links
Naveed Ahmad Khan Photo by Sultan Bashir
ISLAMABAD: The Embassy of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia in Islamabad hosted a tourism promotion event to spotlight Ethiopia as a travel destination and strengthen bilateral engagement with Pakistan.
The event brought together diplomats, travel agents, media representatives, and digital influencers.
Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan, Advisor and Coordinator to the Prime Minister of Pakistan on Tourism, attended as Chief Guest. Hamid Asghar Khan, Additional Secretary (Africa) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was the Guest of Honor. Ambassador of Turkmenistan to Pakistan and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps H.E. Mr. Atadjan Movlamov and Managing Director (MD) of the Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) is Mr. Aftab Ur Rehman Rana also present on the occasion.
Historic and Cultural Bonds
Welcoming the guests, H.E. Dr. Oumer Hussien Oba, Ambassador of Ethiopia to Pakistan, highlighted the historic “Habesha” connection rooted in the First Hijra, when early Muslims found refuge in Ethiopia. He said the Al-Nejashi Mosque and the legacy of Hazrat Bilal Habeshi remain a source of spiritual affinity and brotherhood for Pakistanis.
Ethiopia’s Tourism Pitch
Ambassador Oba presented Ethiopia as the “Land of Origins” and Africa’s fastest-growing tourism destination. He cited new world-class resorts and parks developed under Prime Minister H.E. Dr. Abiy Ahmed’s leadership. He added that Addis Ababa, Africa’s third-largest diplomatic hub and headquarters of the African Union, hosted over 150 international summits last year.
He also pointed to Ethiopian Airlines’ direct Karachi–Addis Ababa flights as a key advantage for Pakistani travelers.
Pakistan’s Response
Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan welcomed the Embassy’s initiative to build people-to-people ties and lauded Ethiopian Airlines for bridging the connectivity gap with Africa. He announced a reciprocal influencer exchange: Pakistani content creators will visit Ethiopia soon, while Ethiopian and African influencers will receive complimentary tourism packages to Pakistan.
Hamid Asghar Khan thanked Ethiopia for starting direct flight operations to Pakistan, calling them the most critical link between the two countries. Recalling his visit to Ethiopia, he praised the country’s energy production, rapid urban development, tourism landscapes, and progress in aviation.
