"Perhaps LBA is a little embarrassed/unaware about it. Using A310 aircraft – no announcement as to frequency."
10 DME ARC, maybe LBIA are aware and quite proud but it has been commercially confidential so far. They would not want to shout about something but then see it not happen. Maybe their commercial confidentiality is pretty good, which would be a first in the airline business
"1.Can an Airbus A310 make Islamabad Direct from LBA’s short runways?"
LBIA: remember there is a difference between a direct service and a non-stop flight.