PM urges PIA flight resumption to UK

Shehbaz calls for early conclusion of ESP agreement

ISLAMABAD:

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday took up the issue of suspension of PIA flight operations with UK High Commissioner Jane Marriott, who called on him at the PM Office.

The prime minister called for early resumption of PIA flights to the UK to help strengthen linkages between the two countries and assuage the concerns of the 1.6 million-strong Pakistani diaspora in the UK.

PIA flights to Europe and the UK were suspended after the European Union's Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) revoked the national carrier's authorisation to fly to the bloc in 2020 following a fake pilot licence scandal. The issue resulted in the grounding of 262 of Pakistan's 860 pilots, including 141 of PIA's 434.

On Monday, CAA Additional Director General Taimur Iqbal, while presiding over the 43rd E-Kacheri, had expressed the hope that the Pakistan International Airlines flights to the United Kingdom would likely resume in May as inspections in this regard have been completed.

Also read: PIA’s UK flights on the horizon

The prime minister, while expressing the desire to elevate the Pakistan-UK relationship to the next level, emphasised the importance of early conclusion of the Enhanced Strategic Partnership (ESP) agreement.

The prime minister highlighted the government’s priorities, in particular the importance of navigating through the economic challenges facing the country. In this regard, he underscored the need to enhance bilateral cooperation in trade and investment, climate, and people-to-people contacts as well as developing convergences on regional and multilateral issues of mutual interest.

He requested the high commissioner to convey his best wishes to King Charles III and prayed for his early recovery to full health. The prime minister also expressed the hope that the King would visit Pakistan, as soon as his health permitted him to travel.