ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority said on Friday it had imposed a fine of one hundred thousand rupees on Turkish Airlines for failing to follow coronavirus standard operating procedures.
Pakistan has fined Turkish Airlines twice before — on October 13 and 21 last year — over coronavirus violations.
In a letter on Friday, CAA said Turkish Airlines had transported two passengers, Abdul Sattar and Tariq Ali, from Dakar, Senegal, to Istanbul for onward journey to Lahore on January 13, 2021 without proof of a negative coronavirus test
“ln view of the foregoing, Competent Authority has imposed penalty to the tune of PKR 100,000/- on Turkish Airlines and the same shall be deposited in CAA Collection Account … on immediate basis,” the CAA said. “Any recurrent violation of COVID-19 related SOPs shall be dealt with in a more stringent manner including but not limited to revocation of operating authorization granted to Turkish Airlines for flight operations to/from Pakistan.”
Last year, Pakistan issued a travel advisory under which inbound passengers were divided into two categories. Passengers from category A countries like China, Japan, New Zealand, Turkey and Saudi Arabia, do not need to undergo coronavirus tests while passengers from category B countries like Senegal need coronavirus-negative certificates to enter Pakistan.
Turkish Airlines gets third penalty from Pakistan for violating COVID-19 rules
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Turkish Airlines gets third penalty from Pakistan for violating COVID-19 rules
- Pakistan also imposed fines on Turkish Airlines on October 13 and 21 last year over coronavirus SOP violations
- CAA says two passengers on a flight from Senegal to Lahore did not have proof of a negative coronavirus test
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia discuss regional situation, upcoming engagements
- Ishaq Dar and Prince Faisal bin Farhan agree to stay in contact amid Middle East tensions
- The two officials speak ahead of Trump’s Feb. 19 Board of Peace meeting in Washington, DC
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar discussed regional developments and upcoming international engagements with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan in a phone call on Saturday, according to the foreign office in Islamabad.
The conversation took place against the backdrop of deepening strategic ties between Islamabad and Riyadh. In September last year, the two countries signed a bilateral defense agreement that formalized decades of military cooperation and included a commitment to view aggression against one as an attack on both countries.
“Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar held a telephonic conversation today with the Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia, Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud,” Pakistan’s foreign ministry said in a statement.
“The two leaders discussed the evolving regional situation, forthcoming international engagements, and agreed to remain in close contact,” it added.
The two officials spoke at a time of heightened tensions in the Middle East, with the conflict in Gaza far from resolution amid ongoing ceasefire violations by Israel.
The region has also been on edge as the United States pursues nuclear negotiations with Iran, prompting regional states to call for diplomacy rather than new military flare-ups.
Both Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are participants in US President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace, which is scheduled to meet on Feb. 19 in Washington.
Islamabad and Riyadh have consistently coordinated positions over regional and global issues.
The foreign ministry did not provide further details of the discussion.
