Twitter reacts to British Airways resuming flight operations
British Airways planes are parked at Heathrow Terminal 5 in London, Britain. PHOTO: REUTERS
December 2018: British Airways announces the resumption of operations in Pakistan.
The two headlines may be a decade apart but have a strong impact on Pakistan's aviation sector. Most importantly, it reiterates a positive image of the country and may pave way for other airlines and businesses to return to the country.
British Airways to restart flight operations in Pakistan after a decade
Director-General Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major-General Asif Ghafoor said the "dividends of decades-long struggle of Pakistani nation and its security forces for the restoration of peace and stability in the country are on the way".
In a video message on Twitter, British High Commissioner to Pakistan Thomas Drew welcomed British Airways launching London-Islamabad direct flights. He The British envoy added that the “return of British Airways will give a particular boost to trade and investment links between UK and Pakistan.”
Special Advisor to the Prime Minister on Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development Sayed Zulfikar Bukhari said airlines meant connectivity. "British Airways resuming operations after a decade is a huge leap for Pakistan! Glad to have helped in my humble capacity."
Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi congratulated Special Adviser to the Prime Minister on Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development Zulfikar Bukhari, as well as, British High Commissioner to Pakistan Thomas Drew on the resumption of British Airways flights to Pakistan
The federal minister said the decision is an acknowledgement of Islamabad's continued efforts for peace and elimination of terrorism
Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry also welcomed the reopening of British Airways flights to Pakistan.
He requested that other countries to also review travel advisories to Pakistan which according to him is as safe as any other country.
Finance Minister Asad Umar also acknowledged the reduction of travel advisories to Pakistan in the wake of the international airline's decision to the country with Portugal previously dropping travel advisory for its citizens.
"Great News! British Airways resumes flights to Pakistan from Britain after 10 years," said Member British Parliament Attaur Rehman Chisti.
Former Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal shared a throwback image of when he took up the issue with British Home Secretary.
"Very pleased to hear British Airways starting service to Pakistan. I strongly took up this issue with British Home Secretary in my last visit of UK in April, 2018. British HC
For most, it was a ray of hope:
Some had doubts:
The move made its way into sports: