ISLAMABAD, JULY 5, SPA -- Pakistan and Malaysia have agreed to increase air links from the existing three weekly frequencies to 14 weekly frequencies. This understanding was reached between the two sides as a result of two-day bilateral Air Services Agreement (ASA) talks held in Pakistan, said an official statement. The Pakistan side was led by Maj-Gen Mir Haider Ali Khan, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Defence, whereas the Malaysian side was headed by Shalbia Abdul Ghani, Principal Assistant Secretary (Air Transport), Ministry of Defence Transport, Malaysia. After thorough deliberations, the two sides agreed to expand the existing bilateral arrangements in order to promote trade, tourism and people to people contact. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to the effect was inked, which provides that the designated airtimes of Malaysia will commence operation with a total of fourteen weekly frequencies, seven each to Karachi and Lahore. Similarly, the designated airlines of Pakistan will operate equal number of frequencies to Kuala Lumpur and other point in Malaysia. It was also agreed to allow the airlines of the either side to operate unlimited umber of frequencies exclusively for Cargo operations. The MoU would provide tremendous opportunities to the two Muslim countries to further expand and intensify bilateral cooperation in the areas of trade, economy, culture and tourism.--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/464980