'Laws amended to comply with UK aviation rules'

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Saturday said that the government was making efforts to revive flights to and from the United Kingdom as soon as possible.

"We have made every effort, we changed even the laws as per the latest requirements of the Aviation Authority of the UK in an effort to resume PIA flights," the deputy prime minister said while addressing the Pakistani diaspora.

Dar, who is on his official visit to the UK, said the government was taking two more actions: privatisation of PIA and outsourcing of the Islamabad International Airport. He informed the gathering that the process was moving on fast track, hoping that it might be completed by the 10th of next month.

He said that the government not only aims to grant voting rights to overseas Pakistanis but also seeks to allocate 5 to 7 special seats in parliament for them. However, this requires a constitutional amendment, which would need the cooperation of other parties.

He mentioned that the current government plans to introduce a dedicated housing scheme in the federal capital for overseas Pakistanis through the Capital Development Authority (CDA), allowing them to own a plot or house there.

He pointed out that Pakistan attached high importance to the long-standing partnership with the United Kingdom and the real pivot of the bilateral relationship was Pakistani diaspora.

"I believe that the British Pakistanis have proved to be the most articulate, the most diverse and the most effective and vibrant who are contributing not only to the development of the host country but also that of Pakistan," he added.

He highlighted that the British Pakistani community also happened to be the most politically active community among overseas communities in the UK. "We have two cabinet members, 15 members in the House of Commons, 11 in the House of Lords and hundreds of councilors, and mayors and deputy mayors."

Dar expressed the government's commitment to uproot the terrorism from the country again.

Dar said that the claims of Pakistan being in international isolation have been proven wrong due to the active guidance and tireless efforts of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his team.

Speaking to the media, Dar highlighted that Pakistan has secured a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for two years, garnering 182 votes— a significant increase compared to the single-vote majority it achieved 12 years ago. The first congratulatory message was received from David Lammy, the UK Foreign Secretary.

He emphasized that it is the global community's responsibility to implement UN resolutions on international conflicts. He expressed regret that the UN resolutions on Kashmir remained unimplemented. "Pakistan will persist in advocating for these issues across all forums, including the OIC, D8, and the UN."

Dar mentioned that he has already taken up the issues of Palestine, Kashmir, and Islamophobia at various forums.