The Pakistan International Airline (PIA) has resumed its direct flights from Islamabad to Mashhad, Iran after a hiatus of five years, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

The first flight PK-119 left for Mashhad Thursday morning paving way for pilgrims visiting Iran's religious sites.

PIA CEO Arshad Malik said that flights to Mashhad had been launched to facilitate the pilgrims going to Iran as it was the long-standing demand of the devotees.

The PIA flights resumption was part of Airlines' plan to enhance its flight cap to Najaf, Baghdad and Damascus. 

He said PIA had the credit to take pilgrims to their sacred places.

Mashhad International Airport (Shahid Hashemi Nejad) is the 2nd busiest airport in Iran after Tehran airport. 

It is the doorway to the 2nd most popular city in Iran and home to religious sites mostly for pilgrimages.

Reporter Samar Abbas