ISLAMABAD: The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has decided to continue its suspension of Pakistan International Airlines’ (PIA) authorization to fly to the bloc, Pakistani media reported on Friday, in what is being described as a ‘blow’ to the carrier’s operations.
The suspension in June followed Pakistan’s grounding of 262 of the country’s 860 pilots, including 141 of PIA’s 434, whose licenses the country’s aviation minister had termed “dubious”.
The grounding of the pilots followed a preliminary report on a PIA crash in Karachi that killed 97 people in May.
“On 16 November 2020, your organization provided the agency with a comprehensive set of documents as evidence to support the Implementation of the agreed Corrective Action Plan [CAP] for the remaining open level 1 finding related to identifying issues in your Safety Management System,” a letter from EASA, quoted by Pakistan’s Geo News channel, said.
“The Agency reviewed the submitted material and found it satisfactory and sufficient as a first important step toward the closure of the above-mentioned finding,” it added.
However, the agency said the investigation conducted by the European Commission on the issuance of professional licenses was still ongoing, and the audit might not have positive results.
“We propose to contact you for a next update of the situation as soon as the concerns regarding the issuance of professional licenses is investigated in full and satisfactorily resolved,” the letter said. “In the meantime, the Agency will closely monitor the situation and further developments.”
EU safety agency retains ban on Pakistan International Airlines
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EU safety agency retains ban on Pakistan International Airlines
- Suspension in June followed Pakistan’s grounding of 262 of the country’s 860 pilots, including 141 of PIA’s 434, over “dubious” licenses
- Pakistan’s grounding of the pilots followed a preliminary report on a PIA crash in Karachi that killed 97 people in May
At least 13 civilians killed in Pakistan strikes in Afghanistan, UN says
- Pakistan said it launched the strikes after blaming recent suicide attacks on militants operating from Afghan territory
- The reported toll adds to fears of a renewed cycle of retaliation between the neighbors, threatening a fragile ceasefire
ISLAMABAD/KABUL: At least 13 civilians were killed and seven injured in Pakistani airstrikes in eastern Afghanistan, the United Nations said on Monday, as cross-border tensions escalated following a string of suicide bombings in Pakistan.
The reported toll adds to fears of a renewed cycle of retaliation between the neighbors, threatening a fragile ceasefire along their 2,600-km (1,600-mile) frontier and further straining ties as both sides trade blame over militant violence.
The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said it had received “credible reports” that overnight Pakistani airstrikes on February 21–22 killed at least 13 civilians and injured seven in the Behsud and Khogyani districts of Nangarhar province.
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid earlier reported dozens killed or wounded in the strikes, which also hit locations in Paktika province. Reuters could not independently verify the reported toll.
Pakistan said it launched the strikes after blaming recent suicide attacks, including during Ramadan, on militants operating from Afghan territory.
Pakistan’s information ministry in a post on X said the “intelligence-based” operation struck seven camps of the Pakistani Taliban and Daesh (Islamic State) Khorasan Province and that it had “conclusive evidence” the militant assaults on Pakistan were directed by “Afghanistan-based leadership and handlers.”
Kabul has repeatedly denied allowing militants to use Afghan territory to launch attacks in Pakistan.
The strikes took place days after Kabul released three Pakistani soldiers in a Saudi-mediated exchange aimed at easing months of tensions along the border.
Afghanistan’s defense ministry condemned the strikes and called them a violation of sovereignty and international law, saying an “appropriate and measured response will be taken at a suitable time.” The Afghan foreign ministry said it had summoned Pakistan’s ambassador.
In a statement on the February 21-22 strikes, Afghanistan’s education ministry said eight school students; five boys and three girls, were killed in Behsud in Nangarhar province, and one madrasa student injured in Barmal in Paktika province, adding that dozens of other civilians were killed or wounded and educational centers destroyed. Reuters could not independently verify the information.
The latest strikes follow months of clashes and repeated border closures that have disrupted trade and movement along the rugged frontier.
