Splendid beauty of majestic mountains of the Northern Areas was unfolded on Sunday when Pakistan International Airlines Karakoram Air Safari cruised through mystical region.
Inaugurated by Defence Minister Rao Skindar Iqbal at Islamabad Airport on the occasion of Independence Day, the Mountain Safari flight has been started with co-ordination and consultation of tour operators, Ministry of Tourism and other stakeholders to attract domestic and foreign tourists.
The 90-minute inaugural flight carrying tourists, members of the diplomatic corps, representatives of tour operators and senior officials of the PIA took off at 10 am and soon entered the land of mega mountains where high peaks, including the world's second highest peak K2, lakes, dales, meadows, valleys and glaciers gave a spell-bound look of one of the most beautiful regions of the world.
The sky was clear and snow-capped peaks glittered the atmosphere by reflecting sun rays in different directions.
Minister for Tourism GG Jamal and PIA Chairman Tariq Kirmani was also on board.
Five of the world's 14 tallest mountains (over 8000 meters) are situated in Northern Areas, including K-2, Nanga Parbat, Broad Peak, Hidden Peak and Gasherbrum 11.
The flight flew over Abbottabad, Kaghan valley passed by the sleeping beauty Nanga Parbat and flew around K-2 and landed at Skardu Airport for a brief stop.
The famous glaciers, valleys of Hunza, Gilgit, Skardu, Kaghan, Naran and Chitral and meadows were all a treat to watch.
Before inaugurating the flight, Defence Minister Rao Skindar Iqbal at Islamabad Airport said the Air Safari would attract tourists from abroad, which would promote tourism in the country.
The PIA Chairman said the Air Safari would operate once a week (Sunday), which has been started after careful planning and in consultation with all stake- holders.
He hoped international tourists would visit Pakistan in large numbers and take the Safari flight, which would take them to wonders of the world.