Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar announced on Saturday that the government is making efforts to quickly restore flights between Pakistan and the United Kingdom. This initiative is expected to greatly benefit the Pakistani diaspora living in the UK.
Dar highlighted that the government has taken all necessary actions, including amending relevant laws to align with the UK Aviation Authority’s latest requirements, in order to resume Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flights. Speaking to the Pakistani community in the UK, he emphasized the importance of these efforts.
He also explained that the suspension of PIA flights to the UK and other Western countries was caused by what he described as an "irresponsible statement" made by a minister from the previous Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government. This statement, he said, resulted in the grounding of Pakistan’s aircraft in Europe and the UK.
During his visit to the UK, Dar further shared that the government is working on two significant initiatives: the privatization of PIA and the outsourcing of operations at Islamabad International Airport. He expressed optimism that both processes could be completed by October 10.