KARACHI: PIA’s first Jumbo Jet (Boeing 747B) flew into Karachi yesterday [April 27] from Lisbon via London and Islamabad. The first of the two Jumbo jets, acquired on lease for three years from Portuguese Airline, TAP, had been repainted with the colours of PIA at London. From Islamabad the Boeing 747 brought a team of journalists, other guests and high officials of PIA, including its Chairman, Air Marshal (retired) Nur Khan. The second 747B aircraft is expected to land here after one week… . Although 15 teams of PIA crew have already been trained to fly the aircraft and 50 PIA engineers to maintain them, Portuguese Airline will also provide instructor pilots for the first few months. … The 747 will give PIA’s international passengers the choice of 3 aircraft (B707, DC-10, B747). — Staff reporter

[Meanwhile, as reported by news agencies from Kuala Lumpur,] Israel has been excluded from the VIII Asian Games … in 1978. The decision … was taken at the Asian Games Federation ... Executive Committee ... today [April 27] under the Chairmanship of Pakistan’s Minister for Social Welfare and Local Bodies Mr. Meraj Khalid who is also the Chief of the AFG.

Published in Dawn, April 28th, 2026