Britain lifts ban on Pakistani airlines - International
Flag carrier Pakistan International Airlines was barred from flying to Britain in June 2020, a month after one of its aircraft plunged into a Karachi street, killing nearly 100 people.
The disaster was attributed to human error by the pilots and air traffic control, and was followed by allegations that nearly a third of the licences for its pilots were fake or dubious.
The UK Air Safety Committee had decided to lift the ban following aviation safety improvements in Pakistan, the British High Commission in Islamabad said, adding that decisions on de-listing states and air carriers were made "through an independent aviation safety process".
"Based on this independent and technically-driven process, it has decided to remove Pakistan and its air carriers from the (UK Air Safety) List," it said in a statement.
The move comes after European regulators lifted a four-year ban on PIA, with the Pakistani state-owned carrier resuming flights to Europe in January.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif welcomed the lifting of the ban as "an important milestone for the country".
"The lifting of the ban on Pakistani flights by the UK is a source of relief for Pakistanis residing in Britain," he added in a statement.
PIA said it would resume services to Britain in "the shortest possible time" with the first flights operating from Islamabad to Manchester.
Aviation minister Khawaja Asif acknowledged the ban had caused losses.
"Confidence is being restored in Pakistani airlines once again," he said at a news conference in Islamabad.
PIA, which employs 7,000 people, has long been accused of being bloated and poorly run -- hobbled by unpaid bills, a poor safety record and regulatory issues.
Pakistan's government has said it is committed to privatising the debt-ridden airline and has been scrambling to find a buyer.
In 2024, a deal fell through after a potential buyer reportedly offered a fraction of the asking price.
PIA came into being in 1955 when the government nationalised a loss-making commercial airline, and enjoyed rapid growth until the 1990s.
Follow us on:
Short link:
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
See - Sada Elbalad
an hour ago
- See - Sada Elbalad
Pakistan Denies Allegations of Its Nationals' Involvement in Ukraine Conflict
Ahmed Emam The Government of Pakistan has strongly rejected recent allegations suggesting the involvement of Pakistani nationals in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, labeling them as "baseless and unfounded." In a statement recently issued by the Pakistani Foreign Ministry, Islamabad emphasized that it has not been formally contacted by Ukrainian authorities, nor has it received any credible or verifiable evidence to support such claims. "The Government of Pakistan categorically rejects the baseless and unfounded allegations of the involvement of Pakistani nationals in the conflict in Ukraine," the statement read. "To date, Pakistan has not been formally approached by the Ukrainian authorities, nor has any verifiable evidence been presented to substantiate such claims." Pakistani officials further stated that they will raise the matter with Kyiv directly, seeking clarification regarding the origin and nature of the accusations. Reaffirming its longstanding position, Pakistan reiterated its commitment to a peaceful resolution of the conflict in Ukraine. "Pakistan supports dialogue and diplomacy in accordance with the principles of the UN Charter," the government affirmed. The response comes amid growing international scrutiny over the involvement of foreign fighters in the Ukraine war. Pakistan maintains that it has consistently advocated for de-escalation and peaceful settlement through diplomatic channels. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News Israeli-Linked Hadassah Clinic in Moscow Treats Wounded Iranian IRGC Fighters Arts & Culture "Jurassic World Rebirth" Gets Streaming Date News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier News Ayat Khaddoura's Final Video Captures Bombardment of Beit Lahia Business Egyptian Pound Undervalued by 30%, Says Goldman Sachs Videos & Features Tragedy Overshadows MC Alger Championship Celebration: One Fan Dead, 11 Injured After Stadium Fall Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Arts & Culture South Korean Actress Kang Seo-ha Dies at 31 after Cancer Battle Arts & Culture Lebanese Media: Fayrouz Collapses after Death of Ziad Rahbani Sports Get to Know 2025 WWE Evolution Results
See - Sada Elbalad
an hour ago
- See - Sada Elbalad
Pakistan Reaffirms Support for Kashmir on ‘Youm-e-Istehsal'
Ahmed Emam Pakistan's top leadership has reaffirmed the country's unwavering political, moral, and diplomatic support for the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) on the occasion of 'Youm-e-Istehsal' (Day of Exploitation), marking six years since India's revocation of the region's special constitutional status. In a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif condemned India's "illegal and unilateral actions" of August 5, 2019, which he said were aimed at altering the demographic makeup and political identity of the disputed region, in violation of international law and United Nations Security Council resolutions. 'Youm-e-Istehsal is a sobering reminder of India's rejection of peace and its investment in brutality and unilateralism,' said Prime Minister Sharif. 'The continued denial of basic human rights, dignity and identity of Kashmiris is a recipe for regional instability.' The Prime Minister accused India of sustaining its occupation through what he called a decades-long regime of 'state terrorism and oppression,' while praising the resilience and defiance of the Kashmiri people. He specifically mentioned jailed Kashmiri leaders including Shabbir Ahmed Shah, Muhammad Yasin Malik, and Masarrat Alam Bhatt, asserting that their imprisonment would not weaken the resolve of the Kashmiri people. Sharif also linked the Kashmir issue with recent regional tensions, referring to India's 'unprovoked aggression' against Pakistan in May 2025 and the subsequent Pakistani military response, calling it 'swift and comprehensive.' He urged the international community to recognize Kashmir as the 'defining conflict' of South Asia and prioritize its resolution. In a separate message, President Asif Ali Zardari echoed these sentiments, calling India's 2019 actions an attempt to 'undermine the right to self-determination of the Kashmiri people.' He outlined a series of Indian measures over the past six years—such as redrawing electoral constituencies, issuing domicile certificates to non-Kashmiris, and implementing new land ownership laws—which he said were intended to disenfranchise Kashmiris and change the demographic structure of the region. 'The Kashmiri people are confronted with the danger of becoming a disempowered community in their own land,' said President Zardari. 'Their genuine leadership remains behind bars. The local media has been silenced, and fundamental freedoms curtailed.' Referring to India's recent military actions and Pakistan's response through 'Operation Bunyan-ul-Marsoos' , the President stated that the developments underscored the urgency of resolving the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in line with UN Security Council resolutions. Both leaders reaffirmed that Pakistan would continue to support the people of IIOJK until they achieve their internationally recognized right to self-determination. It's worth mentioning that 'Youm-e-Istehsal' marks the anniversary of India's move in 2019 to revoke Article 370 of its Constitution, which granted special autonomy to Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan does not recognize this move and considers the territory as disputed. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News Israeli-Linked Hadassah Clinic in Moscow Treats Wounded Iranian IRGC Fighters Arts & Culture "Jurassic World Rebirth" Gets Streaming Date News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier News Ayat Khaddoura's Final Video Captures Bombardment of Beit Lahia Business Egyptian Pound Undervalued by 30%, Says Goldman Sachs Videos & Features Tragedy Overshadows MC Alger Championship Celebration: One Fan Dead, 11 Injured After Stadium Fall Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Arts & Culture South Korean Actress Kang Seo-ha Dies at 31 after Cancer Battle Arts & Culture Lebanese Media: Fayrouz Collapses after Death of Ziad Rahbani Sports Get to Know 2025 WWE Evolution Results
See - Sada Elbalad
an hour ago
- See - Sada Elbalad
Pakistan's PM Reaffirms Support for Kashmir on Youm-e-Istehsal
Rana Atef On the occasion of Youm-e-Istehsal, Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif reiterated Pakistan's support for the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). In a strongly worded message, the Prime Minister condemned India's ongoing human rights violations and illegal measures in the region since its unilateral actions of August 5, 2019. He called on the international community to hold India accountable and reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to standing by the Kashmiri people in their struggle for self-determination. The full message of Sharif is as follows: "On this Youm-e-Istehsal, the Government of Pakistan and I reaffirm the unwavering solidarity of the Pakistani people with our Kashmiri sisters and brothers. We reiterate our strongest condemnation of India's illegal and unilateral actions taken since 3 August 2019 to alter the demographic structure, and political landscape of Illegally Indian Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IIOJK), in complete defiance of international law, norms and principles, as well as the relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council. Youm e Istehsal is a sobering reminder of India's rejection of peace and stability and its investment in brutality and unilateralism. The continued denial of the basic human rights, dignity and identity of Kashmiris that live under India's illegal and unconscionable occupation is a recipe for regional instability. India's occupation cannot be sustained by any normal means, and it has thus doubled down on a nearly eight-decade regime of state terrorism and oppression. The brave Kashmiri people have endured this brutality with incredible dignity. Today is a day for all Pakistanis, and all peace-loving people of the world, to salute the unwavering resilience and spirit of sacrifice of the Kashmiri people. Efforts to silence the genuine leadership of the Kashmiri people are part of the wider hegemonic and extremist agenda that informs India's illegal occupation of Kashmir. The imprisonment of Kashmiri leaders and activists, including Shabbir Ahmed Shah, Muhammad Yasin Malik and Masarrat Alam Bhatt will never dim the resolve of our Kashmiri sisters and brothers. The continued defiance of Kashmiris in an environment of unending intimidation across the illegal Indian occupation is more proof of the indomitable courage of the Kashmiri people. India's illegal occupation of Jammu & Kashmir remains the defining conflict of the South Asia region, and the driver of India's continued rogue behavior. India's unprovoked aggression against Pakistan in May 2025, and its swift and comprehensive military defeat are only the latest evidence of the urgent need for the international community to ensure that resolution of the Kashmir dispute becomes a global priority The will and aspirations of the Kashmiri people, in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions are the only path forward. On this day, I wish to reiterate that seeking a just resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute remains a key pillar of our foreign policy and call upon the international community to urge India to halt its human rights crimes in IIOJK; reverse its unilateral and illegal actions of 5 August 2019, repeal the draconian laws; and implement the UN Security Council resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan reaffirms its unflinching stance moral, political and diplomatic support to our Kashmiri sisters and brothers till the realization of their inalienable right to self-determination." read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News Israeli-Linked Hadassah Clinic in Moscow Treats Wounded Iranian IRGC Fighters Arts & Culture "Jurassic World Rebirth" Gets Streaming Date News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier News Ayat Khaddoura's Final Video Captures Bombardment of Beit Lahia Business Egyptian Pound Undervalued by 30%, Says Goldman Sachs Videos & Features Tragedy Overshadows MC Alger Championship Celebration: One Fan Dead, 11 Injured After Stadium Fall Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Arts & Culture South Korean Actress Kang Seo-ha Dies at 31 after Cancer Battle Arts & Culture Lebanese Media: Fayrouz Collapses after Death of Ziad Rahbani Sports Get to Know 2025 WWE Evolution Results
