Airlines return to Pak skies
Air traffic has returned to normal following recent disruptions caused by Pakistan-India conflict. All international airlines have resumed operations through Pakistan's airspace – except for Indian carriers, which remain restricted.
Talking to media at the Lahore Press Club, Director of Public Relations for the Pakistan Airport Authority (PAA), Saifullah, said that international airlines had temporarily rerouted flights during the recent escalation but have since returned to their regular routes.
He confirmed that, as per the government's directive, Pakistan's airspace will remain closed to Indian airlines until June 24.
Skardu Airport is being upgraded while a new system is being introduced at Chitral and Gilgit Airport. Under a new system, flight operations will continue regardless of weather conditions, said the PAA director.
He said bird strike incidents had gone down by 15 per cent in Karachi, while 36 such incidents were reported in Lahore.
The PAA official said the authority will run a drive in collaboration with the local governments to dispose of offal during Eidul Azha.
He said that there was a policy to outsource airports.
Meanwhile, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) has imposed a ban on flying drones, kites, pigeons, and other objects around Islamabad Airport.
The restriction is placed following bird strike incidents, which cause damage to aircraft, and will remain in effect for a month. The areas around the Noor Khan Airbase and Qasim Airbase will also come under the restriction.
Deputy Commissioner Hasan Waqar Cheema has issued a notification under Section 144. Besides, there is also a ban on aerial firing for a month.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
3 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Afghanistan welcomes upgrade of diplomatic ties with Pakistan
Afghanistan has welcomed Pakistan's decision to upgrade diplomatic engagement with Kabul, saying that the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) – the name the interim Taliban government uses for itself – will also reciprocate the move, according to the TOLOnews television. The IEA's Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed Islamabad's recent decision to elevate its diplomatic relations in Kabul from chargé d'affaires to ambassador. 'The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan will also reciprocally upgrade the level of its chargé d'affaires in Islamabad to ambassador,' said Zia Ahmad Takal, head of public relations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kabul. 'Elevating the level of diplomatic relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan will pave the way for expanding cooperation between the two countries across many sectors,' he added in a statement also published on the official 'X' account of the ministry. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan welcomes the decision of the Government of Pakistan to upgrade the level of its diplomatic mission in Kabul to that of an ambassador. In reciprocity, the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan will elevate the... — Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Afghanistan (@MoFA_Afg) May 31, 2025 The statement came a day after Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, who held a second meeting with China's foreign minister within a span of 10 days in Hong Kong, announced the upgrading of diplomatic ties with Kabul. 'Pakistan-Afghanistan relations are on a positive trajectory after my very productive visit to Kabul with the Pakistan delegation on 19th April 2025,' Dar said in a statement on Friday. Read More: Pakistan to restore full diplomatic ties with Afghanistan 'To maintain this momentum, I am pleased to announce the decision of the Government of Pakistan to upgrade the level of its chargé d'affaires in Kabul to the level of ambassador,' he added. 'I am confident this step would further contribute towards enhanced engagement, deepen Pak-Afghan cooperation in economic, security, CT & trade areas and promote further exchanges between two fraternal countries,' he further stated. Afghan political analyst Sayed Moqaddam Amin welcomed Pakistan's decision as 'another positive move.' 'I hope this step, considering the vital interests of both parties and by fostering good relations and friendship, will provide a solution to existing challenges and deepen the political and diplomatic relations between Kabul and Islamabad,' Amin was quoted as saying by TOLOnews.
Business Recorder
13 hours ago
- Business Recorder
Trump says Pakistani representatives coming to US next week for trade talks
WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump said on Friday representatives from Pakistan are coming to the United States next week as the South Asian country seeks to make a deal on tariffs. Pakistan faces a potential 29% tariff on its exports to the United States due to a $3 billion trade surplus with the world's biggest economy, under tariffs announced by Washington last month on countries around the world. Trump said he would have no interest in making a deal with the South Asian country or its neighbour, India, if they were to engage in war with each other. The two nuclear-armed rivals used fighter jets, missiles, drones and artillery in four days of clashes this month, their worst fighting in decades. Pakistan begins talks with US on Trump's reciprocal tariffs, says finance minister's adviser 'As you know, we're very close making a deal with India,' Trump told reporters at Joint Base Andrews after departing Air Force One. Indian Trade Minister Piyush Goyal visited Washington recently to advance trade talks, with both sides aiming to sign an interim agreement by early July. India faces 26% tariffs on shipments to the US. Trump tariffs: US offers Pakistan to buy more cotton Reuters reported last week that India is likely to allow US firms to bid for contracts worth over $50 billion, mainly from federal entities, as it negotiates a trade deal with Washington.
Express Tribune
15 hours ago
- Express Tribune
SadaPay's Turkish owner faces money laundering probe
Listen to article Papara — a Turkish financial technology company that acquired Pakistan's leading fintech SadaPay in May 2024 — is currently under investigation by Turkish authorities for alleged involvement in money laundering, illegal betting, and other financial crimes. The company's founder and CEO, Ahmed Faruk Karsl?, has been detained along with 12 others as part of a sweeping law enforcement operation. According to a report by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office confirmed that Karsl? was taken into custody during coordinated early morning raids across Istanbul. Authorities have seized a wide range of assets linked to the suspected criminal network, including eight businesses under PPR Holding Inc., multiple properties, luxury vehicles, yachts, and cryptocurrency wallets. The investigation, supported by data from the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey (CBRT), the Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK), and other regulatory bodies, revealed that Papara's platform was allegedly used to facilitate illegal financial transactions. Investigators found that 102 of the 26,012 user accounts created through Papara's technology were directly involved in high-volume illegal betting and fund transfers. These transactions were routed through 274 different bank accounts and eventually funneled into 16 cryptocurrency wallets as part of an elaborate money laundering scheme. Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya stated that 13 individuals have been detained and that assets of the companies and suspects involved have been frozen. The financial crimes unit estimates that the illicit transactions amounted to over 12.9 billion Turkish lira (approximately $330 million). Papara, which reportedly has over 21 million users and a valuation exceeding $2 billion, acquired Pakistan-based SadaPaya licensed Electronic Money Institution (EMI) regulated by the State Bank of Pakistan — exactly one year ago. However, Pakistani authorities have not yet reported any links between the Turkish investigation and SadaPay's operations in Pakistan. Industry experts believe that the developments in Turkey necessitate a careful review by Pakistani regulators. A fintech analyst Muhammad Yasir urged the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) to closely monitor local fintech operators associated with foreign sponsors. "This case highlights the need for enhanced regulatory oversight and continuous due diligence," noted Yasir, adding, "While the allegations pertain to activities in Turkey, the reputational impact on SadaPay is inevitable. SBP must re-evaluate its existing EMI regulations and adopt a proactive approach to managing cross-border financial risks." He added that as financial technologies evolved and cyber-financial crimes grew increasingly sophisticated, Pakistan's regulatory framework must be regularly updated to safeguard consumer interests and the integrity of the national financial system.
