U.K. lifts years-long ban on Pakistani airlines after improvement in air safety standards
ISLAMABAD — Britain has lifted a years-long ban on Pakistani airlines following improvements in the country's aviation safety standards, the British diplomatic mission in Islamabad said Wednesday.
The U.K.'s Air Safety Committee imposed the ban after Pakistan's aviation minister in June 2020 disclosed that nearly one-third of the country's pilots had cheated on their licensing exams. The claim came after a Pakistan International Airlines crash killed 97 people on May 24, 2020, in the southern city of Karachi.
Wednesday's announcement follows a broader international recognition of Pakistan's efforts to improve air safety. Earlier this year, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency also lifted its five-year-long ban, allowing the national flag carrier Pakistan International Airlines to resume direct flights to Europe.
British High Commissioner Jane Marriott said that after 'extensive engagement' between the U.K.'s Air Safety Committee and the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority, restrictions on Pakistani airlines have now been lifted. U.K. diplomatic missions in Commonwealth countries are known as high commissions and are equivalent to embassies.
However, Marriott said individual airlines will still need to apply for operating permits from the U.K. Civil Aviation Authority.
'I'm grateful to aviation experts in both the U.K. and Pakistan for their collaborative work to meet international safety standards,' she said. 'While it will take time for flights to resume, once the logistics are in place, I look forward to using a Pakistani carrier when visiting family and friends.'
The high commission emphasized that decisions on delisting countries or carriers from the U.K. Air Safety List are made through an independent safety process overseen by the Air Safety Committee.
With more than 1.6 million people of Pakistani heritage living in the U.K., and thousands of British nationals residing in Pakistan, it said the move will help families to reconnect and potentially boost bilateral trade ties.
Pakistan's Defense Minister Khawaja Mohammad Asif welcomed the decision.
Speaking at a televised news conference on Wednesday, he attributed the ban to what he described as 'baseless' remarks made by former aviation minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan. He said Khan's claim tarnished the country's image and triggered significant financial losses for Pakistan International Airlines.
Munir Ahmed, The Associated Press
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Global News
2 minutes ago
- Global News
U.K. to recognize Palestinian state if Israel doesn't meet conditions: PM
Britain will recognise the state of Palestine in September unless the Israeli government takes substantive steps to end the 'appalling situation' in Gaza and meets other conditions, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer told his cabinet on Tuesday according to a government statement. 'He said that the UK will recognise the state of Palestine in September, before UNGA (United Nations General Assembly), unless the Israeli government takes substantive steps to end the appalling situation in Gaza, reaches a ceasefire, makes clear there will be no annexation in the West Bank, and commits to a long-term peace process that delivers a Two State Solution,' the statement said. 'He reiterated that there is no equivalence between Israel and Hamas and that our demands on Hamas remain, that they must release all the hostages, sign up to a ceasefire, accept that they will play no role in the government of Gaza, and disarm.' Story continues below advertisement 2:08 Carney asked if Canada will recognize Palestinian statehood like France Starmer took the decision after recalling his cabinet during the summer holidays on Tuesday to discuss a new proposed peace plan being worked on with other European leaders and how to deliver more humanitarian aid to Gaza. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Successive British governments have said they will formally recognise a Palestinian state when the time is right, without ever setting a timetable or specifying the necessary conditions. With warnings people in Gaza are facing starvation, a growing numbers of lawmakers in Starmer's Labour Party have asking him to recognise a Palestinian state to put pressure on Israel. —Reporting by William James, writing by Muvija M; editing by Andrew MacAskill
Toronto Star
2 hours ago
- Toronto Star
The Latest: Trump administration pressed to address starvation in Gaza
Senate Democrats are imploring President Donald Trump 's administration to intervene as Palestinians suffer and starve in Israeli-controlled Gaza, with more than 40 senators signing onto a letter Tuesday urging the resumption of ceasefire talks and sharply criticizing an Israeli-backed American organization created to distribute food aid. Trump has been playing more golf Tuesday in Scotland on the White House has called a working trip including meetings with world leaders. Trump said Israel 'has a lot of responsibility' for what's happening in Gaza and that he'd tell Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu he wants 'them to make sure they get the food.' On Russia, he demanded progress in 10-12 days toward a peace deal with Ukraine. And while the EU trade deal staves off for now the far higher import taxes that might have shocked economies around the globe, some European critics see it as a dark day.
Globe and Mail
2 hours ago
- Globe and Mail
Stock Market News for Jul 29, 2025
Wall Street closed mixed on Monday, pulled up by tech and energy stocks. Markets cautiously considered the new trade framework agreed upon by the European Union and the Trump administration while waiting for the Fed's July meeting. Two of the three benchmark indexes closed in the green, while one finished in the red. How Did the Benchmarks Perform? The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) slid 0.1%, or 64.36 points, to close at 44,837.56. Sixteen components of the 30-stock index ended in negative territory, while 14 ended in positive. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite gained 70.27 points, or 0.3%, to close at 21,178.58. The S&P 500 added 1.13 points, or less than 0.1%, to remain virtually unchanged at 6,389.77. Eight of the 11 broad sectors of the benchmark index closed in the red. The Real Estate Select Sector SPDR (XLRE), the Materials Select Sector SPDR (XLB) and the Utilities Select Sector SPDR (XLU) declined 1.7%, 1.5% and 1.1%, respectively, while the Energy Select Sector SPDR (XLE) gained 1.1%. The fear gauge CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) increased 0.7% to 15.03. A total of 17.58 billion shares were traded on Monday, lower than the last 20-session average of 17.84 billion. Decliners outnumbered advancers by a 1.81-to-1 ratio on the NYSE, and by a 1.48-to-1 on the Nasdaq. Markets Cautiously Weigh Tariff Developments On Monday, global markets responded positively but cautiously to the newly agreed trade framework between the European Union ('EU') and the United States. The deal, which averted a potential tariff escalation set for Aug. 1, brought relief to investors worried about a renewed transatlantic trade war. Equity markets in both regions opened higher, with particular gains in sectors directly tied to the agreement, such as automobiles, aerospace and energy. The framework outlined a 15% U.S. import tariff on most EU goods, significantly lower than the threatened 30%, while preserving higher duties on steel and aluminum. The EU, in turn, committed to purchasing $750 billion worth of U.S. energy and investing heavily in American infrastructure and technology sectors. These moves reassured markets that key supply chains would remain intact and that cross-border investments would continue to flow. However, despite the initial rally, gains were pared as investors digested the broader implications. Much of the optimism had probably already been priced in, and concerns lingered over the long-term impact of persistent tariffs on strategic industries. The euro saw a brief uptick against the U.S. dollar before stabilizing, while commodity and industrial stocks exposed to metal tariffs showed limited enthusiasm. Overall, the trade framework provided a near-term boost to sentiment, driven largely by relief that the worst-case tariff scenario had been avoided. Investors are currently keeping a keen eye on the outcome of the Fed's July meeting, though it is widely expected that interest rates will not come down before September. Consequently, shares of Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. AMD and Williams-Sonoma, Inc. WSM added 4.3% and 3.6%, respectively. Both currently carry a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. Oil Prices Rise 2% on the U.S.-EU Deal Oil prices jumped 2% on Monday on reports of a trade deal between the United States and the EU, and President Trump's announcement that he would shorten the deadline for Russia to end its war in Ukraine. Brent crude increased by $1.60, or 2.3%, to close at $70.04 a barrel. WTI crude rose $1.55, or 2.4%, to close at $66.71. No economic data was released on Monday. Higher. Faster. Sooner. Buy These Stocks Now A small number of stocks are primed for a breakout, and you have a chance to get in before they take off. At any given time, there are only 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. On average, this list more than doubles the S&P 500. We've combed through the latest Strong Buys and selected 7 compelling companies likely to jump sooner and climb higher than any other stock you could buy this month. You'll learn everything you need to know about these exciting trades in our brand-new Special Report, 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Download the report free now >> Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (WSM): Free Stock Analysis Report
