KARACHI: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) said on Thursday it had suspended flights to Kabul over the "unprofessional attitude" of Taliban authorities.
PIA resumed special flights to the country after the Taliban seized power in mid-August, and was a lifeline for many Afghans trying to flee the new regime and economic crisis.
"Our flights frequently faced undue delays because of the unprofessional attitude of the Kabul aviation authorities," Abdullah Hafeez Khan, the PIA spokesman told AFP.
The route will remain suspended until "the situation becomes conducive," he added.
A source at the airline told AFP Taliban officials were often "derogatory" and on one occasion "physically manhandled" a staff member.
PIA had faced criticism for charging more than $1,200 for a one-way, 40-minute flight from Kabul to Islamabad.
The special flights have been used mostly by NGOs and charities, some of which have helped at-risk Afghans to flee, but have been irregular and tickets difficult to purchase for ordinary passengers.
But the airline said the flight operation was "not very lucrative financially" and it was only operating flights on "humanitarian grounds".
"We would pay more than $400,000 as insurance premium which could only be possible if 300 passengers are available," Khan said.
The price was around $150 before the Taliban takeover.
The Taliban had earlier threatened to block half of the airline's flights if the ticket price was not slashed.
But Afghanistan's own Kam Air has been charging up to $1,600 for a single ticket.
Facilities at Kabul airport were badly damaged in the chaotic evacuation of more than 120,000 people that ended on August 30 with the withdrawal of the last US troops.
Pakistan was the chief backer of the Taliban's 1996-2001 regime and has long faced US allegations that its intelligence service fuelled the insurgents. Islamabad denies the charge.
Prime Minister's Imran Khan's government has called on the world to engage with the Taliban and provide economic support to the aid-dependent country which has seen funding frozen by Western donors since the takeover.
Pakistan, however, has stopped short of recognising the Taliban government -- a step opposed by Western countries.
The Taliban last week closed one of its border crossings with Pakistan over the allegation that Afghan citizens were being mistreated by the Pakistani border officials.
PIA suspends Kabul flights over 'unprofessional attitude' of Taliban authorities
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PIA suspends Kabul flights over 'unprofessional attitude' of Taliban authorities
- "Our flights frequently faced undue delays," PIA spokesman says, will remain suspended until "situation becomes conducive"
- PIA resumed special flights after Taliban takeover in August, was a lifeline for many Afghans trying to flee new regime
Saudi defense minister meets Pakistan army chief, discusses security issues
- Khalid bin Salman says both countries reaffirmed strategic defense partnership
- The meeting follows last year’s joint defense pact deepening military relations
ISLAMABAD: Saudi Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman said on Thursday he had met Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir to reaffirm the strategic defense partnership and discuss cooperation to promote global peace and security.
The meeting comes against the backdrop of deepening defense and security ties between the two countries. Last September, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed a bilateral defense accord that elevated long-standing military cooperation into a formal security commitment, with both sides pledging to treat aggression against one as a threat to the other.
“Met with Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defense Forces, Field Marshal Asim Munir, to reaffirm our strong relations and strategic defense partnership,” the Saudi minister said in a social media post. “We discussed our joint efforts to promote global peace and security in a manner that serves our shared interests.”
https://x.com/kbsalsaud/status/2021970225579847828?s=20
The talks take place at a time of heightened tensions in the Middle East, with the conflict in Gaza far from resolution amid ongoing ceasefire violations by Israel.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have long maintained close economic, diplomatic and security ties, and coordination between the two sides has intensified since the signing of the defense pact.
The two countries are also part of President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace and have pressed for progress toward an independent Palestinian state and unimpeded humanitarian access to Gaza along with other Muslim nations.
The Middle East has also been on edge as the United States pursues nuclear negotiations with Iran, prompting many regional states to call for diplomacy rather than new military flare-ups.
So far, Pakistan’s military has not issued a detailed statement about Thursday’s meeting.
Earlier this month, Pakistani officials attended the World Defense Show 2026 in Riyadh, a major international exhibition bringing together governments, armed forces and global defense manufacturers.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have also discussed expanding economic cooperation, including efforts to combine Pakistan’s production capacity with Saudi capital and access to regional markets, according to Pakistan’s commerce ministry.
