ISLAMABAD, Aug 11 (APP): Federal Minister for Defense Chaudhry Ahemd Mukhtar said Monday that direct Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flights between Pakistan and the United States are likely to start next month.

Responding to a question in the Lower House of the Parliament, the federal minister said the two countries had discussed the matter during the recent visit of Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani to the United States.

“The matter was raised before the US government during the visit and the host country had expressed it consent in this regard,” the minister told the House.

PIA had purchased Boeing 777 long- and extended-range aircraft with the aim to start direct flight from Pakistan to the United States.

The minister said the PIA has already started direct flights from Canada, adding that direct flight towards US would shortly be started as the US government has shown its consent in this regard.

The minister said the flight to Euston is underway via Chicago, adding that direct flight to the said destination used to incur huge expenditures.

To another query, Ahmed Mukhtar said the PIA is willing to start working on some new routes as well but it lacks funds to purchase new aircraft.