Latest news with #KarachiAirport
NDTV
6 days ago
- Politics
- NDTV
Pakistani Actor Hina Bayat Slams Karachi Airport Over No Water In Washrooms
Pakistani actor Hina Bayat has slammed the Karachi airport authorities over the unavailability of water in the washrooms. In a video posted to social media, Ms Bayat expressed her frustration about the inconvenience caused to travellers at the Jinnah International Airport in Karachi, especially when the nation was celebrating Youm-e-Takbeer. The day is observed on May 28 to commemorate the nuclear tests that Pakistan conducted on May 28, 1998. Ms Bayat said that if important places like Karachi Airport didn't have water in the washrooms even on special days, there was no point in feeling proud about the country. "Today is Youm-e-Takbeer and I'm standing at the Karachi International Airport. On a day when we are supposed to celebrate Pakistan's achievements, what I see is that there is no water in any of the washrooms here. People want to pray (namaaz) or take their kids to washrooms, but there is no water," she said. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Hina Bayat (@hinakhwajabayatofficial) Many on Instagram reacted to her video and appreciated her honest assessment of the situation. "Appreciate her honest comments, some prompt action must be taken by concerned authorities!" said a user. "Absolutely, very well said," said another user. "First woman who has kept her thoughts clear clean and accurate. Kudos to u ma'am," read a comment. Ms Bayat further questioned how countries could focus on building big projects, including new trains while ignoring the basic fundamental concerns such as the lack of water at airport washrooms. She asked, "Why have our airports, our institutions, and our systems come to such a state, and no one is willing to admit that these mistakes need to be fixed as well? Big projects are being built, and there are discussions of new trains, but at the same time, the washrooms of international airports don't even have water. It's really unfortunate". Ms Bayat's statement came weeks after India suspended the Indus Water Treaty following the terror attack which claimed the lives of 26 people in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22. "As far as the Indus Water Treaty is concerned, it will remain suspended until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures terrorism," Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said at the time.
Jordan News
10-05-2025
- Politics
- Jordan News
Details of the Pakistani Military Operation Against India - Jordan News
Pakistan's state television, citing security sources, reported early Saturday morning that Islamabad launched a military operation in response to the Indian attack. اضافة اعلان A spokesperson for the Pakistani Army had earlier issued a warning to India, stating: 'The response is coming,' in reference to India's assaults. According to sources, Pakistani fighter jets launched airstrikes on a number of military targets near New Delhi. Pakistani military sources confirmed that four Indian military bases were targeted, amid mutual shelling of military and strategic sites in both countries. Eyewitnesses also reported hearing multiple explosions in the Indian cities of Amritsar and Jammu. In parallel, media outlets reported that Pakistan evacuated Karachi Airport and closed its airspace to all flights amid the escalating situation. Earlier, the Pakistani military stated that three of its air bases had been targeted by Indian missile strikes, including a base located on the outskirts of Islamabad, near the Army's General Headquarters.
Express Tribune
09-05-2025
- Express Tribune
Flights cancelled amid drone war
Due to escalating tensions between Pakistan and India after the Pahalgam incident, dozens of domestic and international flights from Lahore, Islamabad, Karachi, and other airports were cancelled on Thursday, while some flights were diverted to Karachi, Multan, and Islamabad. Flights arriving from Doha, Turkey, Canada, and other countries were also either held back or diverted. Following India's drone attack, the air traffic system in Pakistan has been severely disrupted. Flights carrying Hajj pilgrims from Lahore also experienced significant delays of several hours. The Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) intermittently opened and closed Pakistani airspace throughout the day. According to a new Notice to Airmen (Notam), certain parts of Lahore's airspace will remain closed until 6am today (Friday), while the rest of the flight operations are expected to continue as per routine. Karachi Airport's operations, however, have been restricted until midnight. Lahore's Allama Iqbal International Airport typically handles 48 to 55 incoming and outgoing flights daily, both domestic and international. The greatest inconvenience has been faced by Hajj pilgrims and international travelers, particularly due to the closure of airspace. Last night, flights bound for Dubai, Sharjah, Doha, Madinah, and Riyadh were suddenly grounded. These cancellations reportedly occurred after Indian drone activity in Lahore's Walton and DHA areas. While the flights eventually departed after delays, incoming flights from Doha, Madinah, Istanbul, Malaysia, and Singapore were diverted to Islamabad, Karachi, and Multan. The PAA has advised passengers to check with airline inquiry desks before heading to the airport. Some passengers, including Junaid Aslam Riaz, expressed frustration, stating that they had received boarding passes and were seated in the aircraft when the cancellations were announced, causing distress.
NDTV
07-05-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
Pakistan Shuts Down Airspace, Plans To Hit Back After India's Precision Strikes
Pakistan, in disbelief and distress after Indian armed forces missiles pummeled multiple terrorist camps in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, as well as deep inside Pakistan, has decided to close down its airspace entirely. Pakistan, in disbelief and distress after Indian armed forces missiles pummeled multiple terrorist camps in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, as well as deep inside Pakistan, has decided to close down its airspace entirely. So far, Pakistan had closed its airspace only for flights that are owned, leased, or operated by Indian carriers, but after India's precession strikes, Islamabad and Rawalpindi (Pak Army headquarters) have announced a total closure of the country's airspace for all countries, including its own civilian planes. Only some essential flights are reportedly being permitted. The order, issued by Pakistan's aviation authority, states that Pakistan is now a no-fly zone for the next 48 hours. While Pakistan has called the move a precautionary measure, the country has vowed to retaliate. It must be noted that India's kinetic action against Pakistan was a response to Pakistan's links to cross-border terrorism which resulted in the Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 civilians were killed. The attack was religiously-motivated, and came days after an inflammatory and communal speech by Pak Army chief Asim Munir. Hence, any strike by Pakistan now, will only be seen as an escalation and not a retaliation, say military experts. Meanwhile, Pakistan prime minister Shehbaz Sharif met the national security council to deliberate on what Pakistan's reaction should be. During, and shortly after India's strikes on Pakistani terror camps - between 1:05 am IST and 1:30 am IST - all flights to Islamabad and Lahore were diverted to Karachi Airport, where flight ops came under severe stress. Following this, the entire airspace was shut down, except few essential flights. India too has curbed civilian flights operations at several airports along the western front which borders Pakistan. Should Pakistan escalate the situation, New Delhi has assured the world that it will "retaliate resolutely". Early on Wednesday Indian armed forces carried out missile strikes on nine terror targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir under Operation Sindoor.
Arab News
01-05-2025
- Arab News
Pakistani Hajj pilgrims praise ‘remarkably smooth' Makkah Route Initiative immigration process
ISLAMABAD: The first batch of Pakistani Hajj pilgrims who arrived in Madinah under the Kingdom's Makkah Route Initiative on Wednesday praised its 'remarkably smooth' immigration process, thanking the Saudi government for the facility. The Makkah Route Initiative is designed to streamline immigration processes by enabling pilgrims to complete official travel formalities at their departure airports. Initially tested in Islamabad in 2019, the program was later expanded to Karachi, benefitting tens of thousands of Pakistani travelers. This saves pilgrims several hours upon arrival in the Kingdom, as they can simply enter the country without having to go through immigration again. Pakistan kicked off its pre-Hajj flight operations on Tuesday, with the first batch of 900 Pakistani pilgrims arriving in Madinah from Islamabad, Karachi and other cities. Those who arrived from Karachi and Islamabad praised the Makkah Route Initiative for making their travel hassle-free. 'It was remarkably smooth as the Saudi immigration process was completed at Islamabad Airport without the need to wait in long queues,' Tariq Khan, a resident of Pakistan's northwestern Swabi city, told Arab News over the phone from Madinah. Around 50,500 Pakistani pilgrims in total from Islamabad and Karachi will travel to Saudi Arabia under the Makkah Route Initiative this year. Khan, who is performing Hajj for the second time since 2016, said the pre-departure immigration process had saved pilgrims' considerable time. 'The difference was [like] night and day,' Khan, comparing his Hajj journey in 2016 to the present one. 'This time, the process was efficient and stress-free, allowing us to focus on the spiritual aspects of our journey.' Upon landing, Khan said pilgrims bypassed the usual immigration queues while buses were waiting to transport them directly to the hotel. 'Our luggage, which had been tagged and processed in Islamabad, arrived at the hotel shortly after we did,' he noted. Shamim Akhtar, who arrived from Karachi, described the immigration process as 'exceptionally well-organized.' 'Dedicated immigration counters at Karachi Airport handled all formalities efficiently and the staff was courteous,' she told Arab News. 'And the entire process was completed swiftly, allowing us to reach the boarding lounge without hassle.' She thanked the Saudi government for extending the service to Karachi, saying the Makkah Route Initiative significantly reduced the stress and time associated with international traveling during Hajj. 'It's a commendable effort that enhances the overall pilgrimage experience,' she said. 'EXCELLENT ARRANGEMENTS' Osama Anwar, an information technology professional from Pakistan's eastern city of Rawalpindi, praised the entire Hajj process from submitting the application to the mandatory trainings organized by the government, and the 'smooth' travel facilitated under the Makkah Route Initiative. 'Under the Route to Makkah, arrangements were very good and it was a very smooth process at the airport,' he said. 'It hardly took us just 20 to 25 minutes to reach the hotel from the airport in Saudi Arabia.' He said pilgrims had been guided thoroughly about the process. 'Now that we have arrived in Madinah, we found that excellent arrangements have also been made here including good rooms and food arrangements,' Anwar said. This year's annual pilgrimage will take place in June, with nearly 89,000 Pakistanis expected to travel to Saudi Arabia under the government scheme and over 23,620 Pakistanis expected to perform Hajj through private tour operators.
