Pakistan has reportedly earned Rs.50 million from the recent stopover of the NATO aircraft Antonov An-225 Mriya, in Karachi last month. Antonov An-225 Mriya, is also the world’s largest cargo aircraft in the world.
The landing of the world’s largest cargo aircraft in Karachi had created a social media buzz with users expressing amusement on the viral video of the landing of the aircraft.
https://youtu.be/CxQZnKPY1tI
The Russian-made wide-body aircraft powered by six turbofans is said to be the longest and heaviest plane ever built. The aircraft was part of the withdrawal process of NATO forces from Afghanistan. The plane took off from Afghanistan and landed at the Jinnah International Airport Karachi. The plane remained at Karachi Airport for 21 hours.
The cargo plane was carrying military equipment and foreign soldiers from war-torn Afghanistan. The stopover of plane generated massive revenue for Pakistan as Civil Aviation Authority received more than Rs.50 million in cargo bills.
Read more: Pakistan’s National Assembly to get in-camera briefing on current situation in Afghanistan
CAA sources claim that aircraft had weighed more than 430,000 kg and had included the military vehicles, weapons, and lithium batteries, most of which had been delivered in the name of the Italian Ministry of Defence.
https://youtu.be/6o6Fjr9AG2k
The plane had also carried three British Royal Force helicopters as well. It is anticipated that Pakistan is expected to receive more revenues in the form of cargo bills in the future with the withdrawal of NATO forces from Afghanistan in intervals.
Politically, Pakistan has gained a center stage as world powers negotiate and discuss the withdrawal of foreign military troops from Afghanistan.
A session of the National Assembly’s committee on national security has been summoned for a briefing on the latest situation and regional issues amid the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan.
Read more: Pakistan, Uzbekistan do trial runs of trade via war-torn Afghanistan
NA Speaker Asad Qaiser will chair the in-camera meeting convening on July 1 at 3 pm. Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, and Defence Minister Pervaiz Khattak will also be part of the proceedings.