Category: Travel

  • PIA prohibits pilots and cabin crew from fasting during Ramzan

    PIA prohibits pilots and cabin crew from fasting during Ramzan

    Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has prohibited its pilots and cabin staff members from fasting during the holy month of Ramzan.

    As per a recent safety notice released by the national flag carrier, fasting is one of the key factors behind diminished human performance.

    The decision is part of the PIA’s in-flight safety measures, which were recently announced by Aamir Bashir, the PIA’s General Manager (GM) of Flight Services.

    In order to meet the physical and psychological demands of flying, a healthy diet is crucial for pilots. Human errors that result in plane crashes can be minimized by focusing on nutrition due to its strong connection with flying performance.

    On-duty pilots and flying crew members should consider several aspects such as tiredness, performance degradation, and refrain from fasting throughout Ramadan, keeping in view the safety of the innocent lives (passengers and other staff).

    In addition to this, the administration has also allowed pilots and cabin crew members to apply for leave who do not wish to give up fasting during the month of Ramadan.

    Read more: Man hacks airline’s website after he lost his baggage

    Lastly, it also noted that non-compliance with the directive could result in the suspension or cancellation of the flying crew’s licenses.

  • 11-minute flight: Billionaire Jeff Bezos is going to space without a pilot

    Amazon billionaire, Jeff Bezos will fly to space with his brother Mark Bezos next month, on the first human spaceflight. The spacecraft are being made by his company, Blue Origin. The automated capsules with no pilot will include six passengers, including the winner of an ongoing auction taking place for a seat. After that, the remaining seats will be up for sale.

    In an Instagram video, the world’s richest person, Bezos disclosed that ever since he was five years old, he has dreamed of traveling to space.

    If the mission is successful, Bezos will leave behind Tesla and Space X founder Elon Musk. and British entrepreneur Richard Branson, who are also hoping to fly to space by the end of this year.

    As per reports, the total flight time would be 11 minutes approximately. The mission is to get ahead of the Karman line known as “an imaginary boundary” which is about 62 miles above the Earth and hundred kilometers above sea level.

    Since this is the first human spaceflight, there is no guarantee that the flight is safe for passengers. However, Blue Origin has successfully launched dozens of rockets from Guadalupe Mountains of West Texas.

    Blue Origin was founded by Bezos in 2000 with the mission of cheap traveling to space and reusable launch systems.

    The news came after the announcement made by Bezos in February that he would step down as the CEO of Amazon and would focus on his other work.

  • US asks citizens to reconsider travel to Pakistan owing to terrorism, sectarian violence

    The United States has asked its citizens to reconsider travel to Pakistan in the light of the coronavirus outbreak, sectarian violence, and terrorism.

    In a travel advisory issued on Jan 25, the US administration said it “has limited ability to provide emergency services to US citizens in Pakistan due to the security environment”.

    The US also asked its citizens not to visit Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s tribal districts, and the areas in close proximity to the Line of Control due to militant threats.

    The advisory is “reissued after periodic review with edits regarding sectarian violence”.

    COVID-19 IN PAKISTAN:

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 3 Travel Health Notice for Pakistan due to COVID-19, according to the advisory.

    “The government of Pakistan has lifted stay-at-home orders and allowed the resumption of intercity domestic travel and mass transit services in most cities. Travel restrictions, stay-at-home orders, business closures, and other restrictions can be reintroduced at any time within Pakistan due to COVID-19.”

    BALOCHISTAN AND KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA:

    The US asked its citizens not to travel to Balochistan due to “terrorist groups, an active separatist movement, sectarian conflicts, and deadly terrorist attacks against civilians, government offices, and security forces”. “In 2019, several bombings occurred in Balochistan province that resulted in injuries and deaths,” it said.

    About KP, it said that “active terrorist and insurgent groups routinely conduct attacks against civilians, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), government offices, and security forces”. “Assassination and kidnapping attempts are common, including the targeting of polio eradication teams,” it said, asking the citizens to avoid these areas.

    LINE OF CONTROL:

    It also mentioned the Line of Control, saying “militant groups operate in the area”.

    “India and Pakistan maintain a strong military presence on both sides of the border. Indian and Pakistani military forces periodically exchange gunfire and artillery fire across the Line of Control (LoC),” it said, asking the citizens to avoid the border.

  • Four ‘spooky’ places in Pakistan

    Four ‘spooky’ places in Pakistan

    There are different places in some major cities of Pakistan that are believed to be haunted by the undead. Here is the list of few spooky legends that might make your Halloween a little more spooky.

    1. Red-dressed Bride at the Karsaz Road

    The main Karsaz Road in Karachi is known for being one of Pakistan’s most haunted destinations. Back in the 1960s, a newlywed couple was driving on Karsaz Road, when they got into a terrible road accident and died on the spot. Since then, the locals have reported that many people who take this route have witnessed a bride in a traditional red dress, walking alone on the road and disappearing after a few minutes.

    Source – Geo News

    2. Crying Fairies on Lake Saif-ul-Malook

    Even the beautiful lake in the Kaghan Valley is included in the category of the scariest places in Pakistan. Legend says that a Prince of Persia fell in love with Saif-ul-Malook’s fairy princess, but since the fairy was promised to a Demon, the union could not go through. The Demon killed them and it is believed that cries of the fairies, mourning the death of the two lovers, can be heard at night.

    A Night with stars and lake of fairies Saifulmalook Pakistan. Picture  credits Xeeshan photography | Fairy land, Lake, Landscape

    3. Moving things at Mohatta Palace

    Mohatta Palace Museum located in Karachi is also one of the spookiest places in Pakistan. Back in 1927, the palace belonged to a Rajasthani businessman and is said to be haunted by his ghost ever since he died. Word on the street is that the guards have felt the presence of unseen creatures during their night duty, and have occasionally observed different things moving from their actual position.

    Mohatta Palace- A Remain of Divine Love

    4. Forty bodies at Koh-e-Chiltan Peak

    Located in the Balochistan province, Koh-i-Chiltan Peak means “forty bodies” in the local language. According to the natives, the area is surrounded by the spirits of forty babies who were left abandoned by their parents on the mountain. The peak is avoided by the locals, who are reported to have heard the noises of those children from the top.

    Koh-i-Chiltan - Ghoomlo.pk