UK lifts 5-year ban on PIA; PM Shehbaz calls it a victory for Pakistan

Islamabad: The UK Air Safety Committee has lifted the five-year ban on Pakistan’s national airline and other carriers.

The ban was originally imposed in July 2020 by UK and European aviation authorities due to the fake pilot license scandal.

This move allows Pakistani airlines to resume flights to the UK.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called PIA’s return to UK airspace a “victory for Pakistan.”

In a statement on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), the Prime Minister expressed gratitude, saying: “Alhamdulillah! PIA has returned to UK airspace. The resumption of Pakistan International Airlines flights to the UK marks a win for Pakistan.”

He added that an “irresponsible and destructive” statement by a former PTI minister had severely damaged Pakistan’s reputation, leading to a four-year ban on PIA operations in Europe and the UK.

Shehbaz Sharif said the airline’s return will reunite 1.5 million Pakistanis living in the UK with their families and also benefit British citizens residing in Pakistan. The restoration of PIA flights will further enhance trade and bilateral ties between the two countries.

The Prime Minister also congratulated the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Defence, Aviation Division, and all stakeholders involved in achieving this milestone.