KARACHI: Britain’s Department of Transport has made “no decision” yet regarding the Pakistan International Airlines’ (PIA) restricted status in the United Kingdom (UK), a PIA spokesman said on Tuesday.
PIA was slapped with a ban by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), UK and United States (US) authorities after Pakistan opened an investigation into the validity of pilots’ licenses following a deadly PIA plane crash in Karachi that killed 97 people in May 2020.
PIA resumed its operations in Europe in Jan. after EASA lifted its ban, however, the debt-ridden airline still remains barred from flying to the UK and the US. A delegation of the UK’s Department for Transport also visited Pakistan this year to evaluate the airline’s safety standards.
Pakistani officials have expressed hopes that PIA will resume flights to the UK in the next three months, but some local media outlets reported on Tuesday that the UK authorities had decided to keep the airline on their air safety list.
“No announcement has been made by the British Department of Transport nor has any letter been received,” PIA spokesman Abdullah Khan told Arab News. “No decision has been taken by the British Department of Transport yet.”
Khan said all Pakistani institutions related to aviation were in constant contact with the British authorities and carrying out their work in unison.
“Any speculation in this regard should be avoided,” he added.
Cash-strapped Pakistan is looking to privatize the debt-ridden PIA to raise funds amid an effort to reform state-owned enterprises under a $7 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) program secured last year.
Late last year, a deal fell through after a potential buyer reportedly offered $36 million for a 60 percent stake in the national flag carrier, a fraction of the asking price of approximately $303 million. Officials say PIA’s cumulative losses alone are close to $3 billion, with the total asset valuation of the airline standing at approximately $572 million.
Pakistan hopes new European routes and flying approval to the UK will boost PIA’s selling potential.
‘No decision’ yet on Pakistan International Airlines’ restricted status in UK — PIA spokesman
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‘No decision’ yet on Pakistan International Airlines’ restricted status in UK — PIA spokesman
- The statement comes after some local media outlets reported that British authorities had decided to continue their restrictions on the airline
- The debt-ridden airline was slapped with a ban by European, UK and US authorities after a pilots’ licensing scandal emerged out of a 2020 plane crash
Pakistani, Libyan commanders discuss regional security, military cooperation
- The meeting follows reports that Pakistan struck a $4 billion defense deal to sell military equipment to Libyan National Army
- Both sides exchanged views on matters of mutual interest, with particular focus on security dynamics in respective regions
ISLAMABAD: Libyan National Army Commander Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar met with Pakistan’s Chief of Defense Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir in Rawalpindi and discussed with him military cooperation and regional security, the Pakistani military said on Monday.
The meeting takes place after Munir’s visit to Libya in December that was followed by reports suggesting Pakistan had struck a $4 billion defense deal to sell military equipment, including JF-17 fighter jets and Super Mushak trainer aircraft, to the Libyan National Army that controls eastern Libya. There has been no official confirmation of the deal so far.
Haftar and Prime Minister Dr. Osama Saad Hammad, who governs eastern Libya, called on Field Marshal Munir at Pakistan Army’s General Headquarters in Rawalpindi, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the Pakistani military’s media wing.
“During the meeting, both sides exchanged views on matters of mutual interest, with particular focus on security dynamics in respective regions and professional cooperation,” the ISPR said in a statement.
“The discussion underscored the importance of continued engagement and collaboration between the Armed Forces of Pakistan and Libya.”
Libya has been subject to a UN arms embargo since 2011, requiring approval from the UN for transfers of weapons and related material. It was not clear whether Pakistan or Libya had applied for any exemptions to the UN embargo.
During Monday’s meeting, Munir reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with Libya, reiterating his country’s support for peace, stability and institutional development in Libya, according to the ISPR.
“The meeting was held in a cordial and constructive atmosphere, reflecting the longstanding friendly relations between Pakistan and Libya,” the Pakistani military said.
