FO welcomes UK decision to remove ban from Pakistani airlines

Islamabad (Web Desk): Pakistan on Thursday extended a warm welcome to the United Kingdom (UK) Air Safety Committee's decision to lift the restrictions on its airline carriers, effectively removing them from the UK Air Safety List and paving the way for the resumption of commercial flights between the two countries after a gap of five years.

In a statement, Foreign Office (FO) Spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan described the move as a milestone and said it reflected Pakistan’s ongoing efforts on both diplomatic and technical fronts.

“This landmark decision is an affirmation of Pakistan’s sustained diplomatic and technical efforts over the past years. We have demonstrated our firm commitment to meeting and upholding the highest international safety standards,” he stated.

Khan noted that this development would help reestablish vital air links between Pakistan and the UK, which would be especially beneficial for the sizeable Pakistani community residing in Britain.

He emphasized the significance of direct air travel in fostering closer people-to-people, economic, and cultural ties.

“With over 1.7 million British Pakistanis forming one of the largest diaspora communities in the UK, the resumption of direct flights promised significant benefits for families, businesses, tourism, and trade,” he added.

The FO spokesperson expressed appreciation for the UK authorities’ recognition of Pakistan’s aviation safety reforms and their collaborative approach during the assessment.

“Pakistan expresses its gratitude to the United Kingdom for acknowledging Pakistan’s commitment to aviation safety and cooperating constructively throughout the evaluation process,” he said.

It is pertinent to mention that the UK has officially lifted its four-year-long ban on Pakistani airlines, a major step forward in aviation relations between the two countries.

This decision comes after sustained technical cooperation and reform efforts by Pakistan's aviation authorities, which have now satisfied international air safety requirements, according to the UK’s independent Air Safety Committee.