Foreign Office welcomes UK decision to lift ban on Pakistani airlines

Pakistan has warmly welcomed the decision by the UK Air Safety Committee to remove its airline carriers from the UK Air Safety List, allowing the resumption of commercial flights to the United Kingdom after a five-year hiatus, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

In a statement issued in Islamabad on Thursday, Foreign Office spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan said: “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 said that the removal of the ban marked an important restoration of connectivity between Pakistan and the United Kingdom, supporting millions of Pakistanis living in the UK and strengthening economic, cultural, and people-to-people ties.

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

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

Reporter Anwer Abbas