In phone call with British counterpart, FM Dar stresses early resumption of PIA flights to UK

Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, in a phone call with British counterpart David Cameron on Monday, stressed the need for early resumption of national carrier Pakistan International Airline’s (PIA) flights to the United Kingdom to “bolster linkages”, according to the Foreign Office (FO).

In July 2020, the UK had joined several countries in suspending PIA’s flight operations due to concerns about the authenticity of pilot licences.

On Saturday, Dar had said that PIA flights to the UK would resume “in weeks, not months”, and that he took up the matter of banned flights of the national carrier with British government officials over the weekend in London. Sources had told Dawn that the matter came under discussion during Dar’s meetings as he urged UK officials to review the matter.

Today, a press release from the FO said Dar received a call from British Foreign Secretary David Cameron during which the foreign minister made his request regarding the resumption of flights, saying that it would further bolster linkages, particularly in view of the large Pakistani diaspora in the UK.

FM Dar thanked Lord Cameron for his felicitations on the former assuming office, saying that he looked forward to working closely with the UK leadership to further strengthen bilateral relations.

He also stressed the need to enhance bilateral cooperation in trade and investment, people-to-people contacts and climate matters.

The two ministers also discussed important regional issues, including Afghanistan and the situation in Gaza. Dar also invited Lord Cameron to visit Pakistan on mutually convenient dates.

“Reiterating the importance of [the] Pakistan-UK relationship, the foreign minister said that Pakistan and the UK had longstanding, historic relations with multifaceted cooperation. The foreign minister emphasised the early conclusion of the Enhanced Strategic Partnership agreement to take relations to the next level,” the FO said.

PIA flights to UK may resume in May

In his press conference on Saturday, Dar had said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was keen to resume PIA operations in the UK. During the 16-month Pakistan Democratic Movement-led government, he said, everything was done for the resumption of PIA flights and inspections were completed according to international requirements.

“They wanted us to update the Civilian Aviation Authority (CAA) law, and despite the challenges, we did it. But yesterday I was taken aback when I was told the CAA division still has work to do. Whatever requirements are there, we will fulfil them.”

The CAA expressed hope last week that PIA flights to the UK would likely resume in May, as inspections have been completed and complaints addressed.

from The Dawn News - Home https://ift.tt/Sp8fWv9

Comments

The Republican primary race for president in 2024

The Republican primary race for president in 2024 is already shaping up to be a competitive one. There are a number of high-profile candidates who have already announced their intention to run, and more are expected to join the field in the coming months. The frontrunner for the nomination is former President Donald Trump. Trump has been teasing a 2024 run for months, and he has a large and loyal following among Republican voters. However, he is also a polarizing figure, and his candidacy could alienate some moderate Republicans. Another potential contender for the nomination is Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. DeSantis has been praised by many conservatives for his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and his opposition to vaccine mandates. He is also seen as a rising star in the Republican Party. Other potential candidates include former Vice President Mike Pence, former Ambassador Nikki Haley, and Senator Tim Scott. Pence is a more traditional Republican who could appeal to moderate vote

Police identify person of interest in mass shootings in Lewiston, Maine

Police identify person of interest in mass shootings in Lewiston, Maine Police in Lewiston, Maine have identified a person of interest in the mass shootings that took place on Wednesday, October 26, 2023. The person of interest has not been named, but police have said that they are a male in his early 20s and that he is known to have been in the area at the time of the shootings. The shootings occurred at two separate locations in Lewiston, a city of about 40, 000 people located in central Maine. The first shooting took place at a shopping mall, where two people were killed and several others were injured. The second shooting took place at a nearby apartment complex, where one person was killed and another was injured. Police have said that they believe the two shootings are connected and that they are investigating the possibility that they were motivated by hate. The person of interest is being described as a white male with short brown hair and a beard. He is said to h

All-out war: Israel pounds Gaza after militants infiltrate in a large-scale attack

The current situation in Gaza is very tense. Israel has responded to the large-scale attack by militants by launching airstrikes on Gaza.This has resulted in the deaths of both Israeli and Palestinian civilians. The United Nations has called for a ceasefire, but both sides have so far refused to comply. The consequences of this conflict are devastating. Many people have been killed or injured, and thousands have been displaced from their homes. The infrastructure in Gaza has also been severely damaged, making it difficult for people to access basic necessities such as food and water. The international community is deeply concerned about the situation in Gaza. The United Nations has called for both sides to immediately cease hostilities and to engage in dialogue. The United States and other countries are also working to mediate a ceasefire. It is important to note that there are many different perspectives on this conflict. Some people believe that Israel is right to defen

Infinity Social Updates

Search This Blog