ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s national air carrier said on Saturday its flight operations were beginning to return to normal just a few days after its management confirmed its decision to ground much of its fleet amid a major financial crisis.
The state-owned enterprise is said to be on the verge of default, as the government refused to provide Rs 23 billion ($76 million) in support of operational expenses, as requested by airline officials.
Authorities had previously allocated substantial funds to assist Pakistan International Airlines (PIA). However, it continued to rack up billions of rupees in arrears and losses over the years.
The caretaker administration of Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar convened a meeting this month to review PIA’s situation and instructed relevant officials to prepare a restructuring plan to improve the financial situation of the cash-strapped airline.
“PIA flight operations have started to return to normal,” its management announced in a brief statement. “Seventy-two flights will depart from airports across the country [on Saturday]. Eighteen domestic flights have already departed while 54 overseas flights will be flying out soon.”
PIA also issued a statement a day earlier, denying the rumors of its closure due to the ongoing financial situation. Prior to that, media reports suggested the airline’s management was beginning to scale down its flight operations.
The national air carrier confirmed earlier this week it had grounded 14 out of its 31 aircraft due to the financial crisis.
But the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of Pakistan turned down its request for a massive bailout package of Rs 23 billion last week without getting a viable plan to deal with its financial crisis.
The ECC asked the Finance Division and the State Bank of Pakistan to assist PIA management, but only after the restructuring plan was finalized and approved.
Pakistan’s national air carrier says flight operations returning to normalcy amid financial crisis
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Pakistan’s national air carrier says flight operations returning to normalcy amid financial crisis
- According to a PIA statement, 72 flights will depart from airports across the country during the day
- The airline recently requested for a $76 million bailout which was turned down by the government
Pakistan urges pilgrims to complete Saudi biometrics as Hajj preparations gain pace
- Government warns pilgrims biometric verification is required for Hajj visas
- Step follows tighter oversight after last year’s Hajj travel disruptions
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s government on Friday urged aspiring pilgrims to complete mandatory Saudi biometric verification for Hajj visas, as preparations for the 2026 pilgrimage gather pace following stricter oversight of the Hajj process.
The announcement comes only a day after Pakistan’s Religious Affairs Minister Sardar Muhammad Yousuf said regulations for private Hajj operators had been tightened, reducing their quota following widespread complaints last year, when tens of thousands of pilgrims were unable to travel under the private Hajj scheme.
“Saudi biometric verification is mandatory for the issuance of Hajj visas,” the Ministry of Religious Affairs said in a statement, urging pilgrims to complete the process promptly to avoid delays.
“Hajj pilgrims should complete their biometric verification at home using the ‘Saudi Visa Bio’ app as soon as possible,” it added.
The statement said the pilgrims who were unable to complete biometric verification through the mobile application should visit designated Saudi Tasheer centers before Feb. 8, adding that details of the centers were available on Pakistan’s official Hajj mobile application.
Pakistan has been steadily implementing digital and procedural requirements for pilgrims ahead of Hajj 2026, including mandatory training sessions, biometric checks and greater use of mobile applications, as part of efforts to reduce mismanagement.
Saudi Arabia has allocated Pakistan a quota of 179,210 pilgrims for Hajj 2026, with the majority of seats reserved under the government scheme and the remainder allocated to private tour operators.
