KARACHI: The International Air Transport Association (IATA) on Sunday urged Pakistan and Bangladesh to release airline revenues amounting to $731 million to ensure air carriers can continue to provide essential air connectivity.
Pakistan and Bangladesh are on top of a list of eight countries holding 87 percent of the total blocked airline funds for the last 40 months, according to the IATA.
The situation has become “severe,” with airlines unable to repatriate $411 million revenues earned in Pakistan and $320 million in Bangladesh.
“In Bangladesh, the solution is in the hands of the Central Bank, which must prioritize aviation’s access to foreign exchange in line with international treaty obligations,” IATA Director-General Willie Walsh said in a statement.
“The solution in Pakistan is finding efficient alternatives to the system of audit and tax exemption certificates, which cause long processing delays.”
Others holding airline revenues included Algeria, Ethiopia, Lebanon, Eritrea, Zimbabwe and XAF Zone.
However, the IATA reported a 28 percent decrease in the amount of airline funds blocked from repatriation by governments. It said the total blocked funds at the end of April stood at approximately $1.8 billion, down by $708 million since December 2023.
The main driver of the reduction was a significant clearance of funds blocked in Nigeria, according to the global airline body. Egypt also approved the clearance of its significant accumulation of blocked funds.
The IATA reiterated the call for governments to remove all barriers to airlines repatriating their revenues from ticket sales and other activities in accordance with international agreements and treaty obligations.
“The reduction in blocked funds is a positive development. The remaining $1.8 billion, however, is significant and must be urgently addressed,” Walsh said.
“The efficient repatriation of airline revenues is guaranteed in bilateral agreements. Even more importantly, it is a pre-requisite for airlines— who operate on thin margins— to be able to provide economically critical connectivity. No business can operate long-term without access to rightfully earned revenues.”
Global airline body urges release of $731 million airline funds held by Pakistan, Bangladesh
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Global airline body urges release of $731 million airline funds held by Pakistan, Bangladesh
- Pakistan and Bangladesh are on top of a list of eight countries holding 87 percent of the total blocked airline revenues
- International Air Transport Association calls on governments to remove all barriers to airlines repatriating funds
Pakistan downs drones near Kohat after Kabul accuses Islamabad of deadly airstrikes
- The exchange marks a sharp escalation in a conflict that began last month when Islamabad launched aerial campaign inside Afghanistan
- Pakistani official says there is just one consistent demand from the Afghan side: ‘stop supporting terrorists, harboring their leadership’
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Friday said it had conducted “precision strikes” against militant camps and support infrastructure inside Afghanistan, with the Taliban authorities saying the strikes had hit civilians and damaged infrastructure in capital Kabul and other border provinces.
The latest exchange marks a sharp escalation in a conflict that began last month when Islamabad launched a sustained aerial campaign inside Afghanistan, saying it was targeting sanctuaries of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a militant group responsible for a surge in attacks within Pakistan. The Afghan government denies the allegations.
A Pakistani security official confirmed on Friday that the strikes were carried out last night, destroying “four key locations,” including infrastructure of a corps headquarters and an ammunition dump in Kabul, a militant training camp in Kandahar, an oil storage facility in Kandahar, and a militant camp in Paktia.
“The message is clear: no let-up, no negotiations, and no delegation sent by Pakistan,” the official, who requested anonymity, told Arab News. “There is just one consistent demand from the Afghan Taliban regime: stop supporting terrorists and harboring terrorist leadership or face the consequences.”
However, the Taliban government said the strikes had hit non-military targets, with Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid stating on X that the bombardment hit Kabul, Kandahar, Paktia, and Paktika provinces.
“With the continued airstrikes and crimes, once again the Pakistani military regime has bombed Kabul, Kandahar, Paktia, Paktika, and some other areas, destroying civilian homes in some places, which martyred women and children,” Mujahid said, adding that in some instances, the strikes hit “empty deserts and vacant spots.”
In Kabul, police spokesman Khalil Zadran told AFP that the strikes killed four people and wounded 15 others, noting that residential homes were among the buildings hit.
The Taliban further alleged that a strategic fuel depot in the southern city of Kandahar was destroyed.
“The Pakistani military regime’s aircraft set fire to the fuel storage of Kam Air, a private airline company, near Kandahar International Airport. This company supplies fuel to civilian airlines and United Nations aircraft,” Mujahid stated, adding that the “oppression will not go unanswered.”
In response, the Afghan Ministry of National Defense claimed its Air Force targeted strategic Pakistani military centers in the Kohat area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Friday morning.
“During the strikes, the Kohat military fort was hit. Additionally, the command center for Durand Line combat operations and the office of the fort’s commander were precisely targeted,” the Afghan Ministry of National Defense said, adding that the strikes caused “heavy human casualties.”
However, Pakistani security officials disputed the Taliban’s account of a successful strike, stating that the attack involved “rudimentary drones” that were effectively intercepted.
“Afghan Taliban-backed FAK (TTP) terrorists tried to use three rudimentary drones in Kohat; however, the drones were effectively brought down,” said one official. “Due to falling debris, two civilians were injured.”
Afghan and Pakistani forces have also clashed repeatedly at the border in recent weeks, hampering trade and forcing nearby residents to leave their homes. Casualty claims from both sides are difficult to verify independently.
