First Pakistan International Airlines flight since foreign troop withdrawal lands in Kabul

A Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) passenger plane from Islamabad touched down in Kabul on Monday morning, according to an airline spokesman. This marks the first flight to land in Afghanistan from neighboring Pakistan since the chaotic final withdrawal of US troops last month. PIA spokesman Abdullah Khan said in a statement that the service was a "special flight" to create "goodwill" with the people of Afghanistan and to "strengthen humanitarian efforts." The spokesman said this was "not an aid flight." PIA said the flight was handled by the Kabul airport staff and its flight name and number were posted on boards at the airport. It was not immediately clear whether it could be described as a "commercial" flight, however, as it is unclear whether people were actually able to buy tickets for the plane. PIA CEO Arshad Malik said the company will "hopefully" be able to restore full services soon. Along with two Qatar Airways passenger planes, both carrying more than 100 foreign nationals, that departed from Kabul and landed in Doha last week, this flight signals that at least some foreign nationals who want to leave Afghanistan will be able to do so, following weeks of uncertainty. <br/>