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First PIA flight leaves for Paris as Pakistani carrier resumes Europe operations

Passengers arrive at the immigration counter before boarding their first flight to Paris at the Islamabad International Airport on January 10, 2025, as EU authorities lift a four-year ban. (AFP)
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Updated 25 min 40 sec ago
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First PIA flight leaves for Paris as Pakistani carrier resumes Europe operations

  • PIA flights to Europe were suspended after an air crash in Karachi that killed 97 people in 2020
  • The resumption of flights to Europe will boost PIA’s revenue and improve privatization prospects
Updated 25 min 40 sec ago
NAIMAT KHAN

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) on Friday resumed its Europe operations with a flight to Paris, the Pakistani national air carrier said, following the removal of a four-year ban by European regulators.
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) suspended PIA’s authorization to operate in the EU in June 2020 over concerns about the ability of Pakistani aviation authorities to ensure compliance with international standards.
EASA and UK authorities suspended permission for PIA to operate in the region after Pakistan began investigating the validity of pilots’ licenses following a deadly plane crash that killed 97 people.
On Friday, PIA said it was resuming two direct weekly flights to Paris.




Passengers wait at the immigration counter before boarding their first flight to Paris at the Islamabad International Airport on January 10, 2025, as EU authorities lift a four-year ban. (AFP)

“This is the first time I am traveling with PIA,” Shumaila Rana, a 38-year-old passenger, told AFP before the flight took off from Islamabad for Paris at 12:40pm Pakistan time.
“I’m nervous and I’m having a lot of anxiety, but I’m hoping it’s gonna be a good flight.”
The airline said it had also made special arrangements for in-flight entertainment “through the Intranet Wireless Entertainment System.”




Passengers wait at the immigration counter before boarding their first flight to Paris at the Islamabad International Airport on January 10, 2025, as EU authorities lift a four-year ban. (AFP)

PIA, which employs 7,000 people, has long been accused of being bloated and poorly run — hobbled by unpaid bills, a poor safety record and regulatory issues.
Pakistan’s government has said it is committed to privatising the debt-ridden airline and has been scrambling to find a buyer. Late last year, a deal fell through after a potential buyer reportedly offered a fraction of the asking price.
The government hopes the opening of European routes, which officials expect will be followed by a similar announcement by the UK later this year, will boost its selling potential.




Passengers wait at the immigration counter before boarding their first flight to Paris at the Islamabad International Airport on January 10, 2025, as EU authorities lift a four-year ban. (AFP)

PIA posted losses of $270 million in 2023, according to local media. Its liabilities were nearly $3 billion, about five times the total worth of its assets.
In the same year, amid a national economic crisis, dozens of domestic flights were canceled when it could not afford fuel for its planes.
PIA came into being in 1955 when the government nationalized a loss-making commercial airline, and enjoyed rapid growth until the 1990s.

Topics: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) Pakistan France Ties pilot license

Pakistan PM congratulates Joseph Aoun on election as new Lebanon president

Updated 5 min 8 sec ago
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Pakistan PM congratulates Joseph Aoun on election as new Lebanon president

  • Aoun’s election came weeks after a ceasefire deal halted a 14-month conflict between Israel, Lebanese group Hezbollah
  • PM Shehbaz Sharif says Pakistan values its ties with Lebanon and looks forward to strengthen bilateral cooperation
Updated 5 min 8 sec ago
Hasaan Ali Khan

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday congratulated Joseph Aoun for being elected as the new president of Lebanon, expressing Pakistan’s interest in strengthening bilateral cooperation between both countries.
Aoun’s election came weeks after a tenuous ceasefire agreement halted a 14-month conflict between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah and at a time when Lebanon’s leaders are seeking international assistance for reconstruction.
Aoun, no relation to former President Michel, was widely seen as the preferred candidate of the United States, whose assistance Lebanon will need as it seeks to rebuild.
In his message on X, Sharif wished Aoun success in his endeavors to lead Lebanon toward peace, stability and prosperity.
“Pakistan values its ties with Lebanon and looks forward to strengthen our bilateral cooperation,” the Pakistan prime minister said.
Pakistan and Lebanon share close relations. In December, Lebanon helped Islamabad safely evacuate around 300 Pakistani nationals stranded in Syria and transport them back home via chartered flights from Beirut.
Pakistan has also sent several relief consignments for the people of Lebanon during Israel’s bombardment of the Middle Eastern country.

Topics: Pakistan Lebanon Ties Pakistan Lebanon Lebanon president

Pakistan records 5.6% increase in remittances month on month

Updated 25 min 16 sec ago
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Pakistan records 5.6% increase in remittances month on month

  • Overseas workers remittances stood at $3.1 billion in the month of December
  • The inflows rose by 29.3 percent in 2024 as compared to the previous year
Updated 25 min 16 sec ago
NAIMAT KHAN

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan recorded a 5.6 percent increase in remittances in December on a month-on-month basis, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Friday, congratulating the nation on the record inflows.
Remittances bring billions of dollars annually from overseas Pakistanis and are vital to Pakistan’s economy. These inflows bolster foreign exchange reserves, stabilize the balance of payments, and support the Pakistani currency.
Overseas workers remittances stood at $3.1 billion in the month of December, according to a statement issued from Sharif’s office. The inflows rose by 29.3 percent in 2024 as compared to the previous year.
Sharif said the record increase in remittances was a testament to the determination of overseas Pakistanis to play their role in the development of the South Asian country.
“After economic stability, Pakistan has embarked on the path of economic development,” he said.
Pakistan narrowly avoided a sovereign default in 2023 by clinching a last-gasp $3 billion loan program from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
The South Asian country has since made some economic gains, most notably slowing the annual consumer inflation to 4.1 percent in December. This was down from 38 percent in May 2023.
Pakistan’s government has vowed to undertake economic reforms mandated by the IMF which include tightening fiscal policies, privatizing loss-making state-owned enterprises and enhancing tax revenues.
“The government of Pakistan is committed to the country’s development and public welfare,” Sharif reassured in his statement.

Topics: Pakistan Remittances Pakistan economy

Pakistan to launch pilot motorbike patrol for security of motorways

Updated 10 January 2025
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Pakistan to launch pilot motorbike patrol for security of motorways

  • Motorways in Pakistan have a dedicated police force, but various crimes, including rapes, have been reported in the past
  • Communications minister says 30-35 motorbikes will boost motorway security and improve response time in the first phase
Updated 10 January 2025
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Communications Minister Abdul Aleem Khan has ordered the launch of a pilot motorbike patrol to enhance security of motorways in the country, Pakistani state media reported on Thursday.
Pakistan’s motorway network has improved road connectivity for the people and the government has deployed a dedicated motorway police force, installed CCTV cameras and established emergency response systems, but security concerns have persisted for travelers.
In 2020, the gangrape of a woman traveling from Lahore to Gujranwala via the M-11 motorway in front of her children sparked widespread outrage in the country, leading to calls for enhanced security measures. In 2023, a motorway police officer was also arrested on allegations of raping a woman on the highway, according to a report in Dawn newspaper.
“Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan has directed the motorways authority to launch a pilot motorbike service aimed at enhancing security and surveillance on motorways,” the Pakistan Television (PTV) broadcaster reported.
“The motorway police have been instructed to utilize existing resources to kick-start the service with plans for expansion in the future.”
Khan directed the motorway police to include 30-35 motorbikes for patrolling in the first phase to boost security measures and improve response times, according to the report.
The communications minister urged the National Highway Authority, Motorway Police, Frontier Works Organization, and local police to collaborate in securing the motorways.
“Motorway police must take maximum responsibility for ensuring the safety of citizens while a robust mechanism should be developed to make motorway travel as secure as possible,” he added.

Topics: Pakistan motorway Abdul Aleem Khan

OIC secretary-general arrives in Pakistan to attend summit on girls’ education in Muslim countries

Updated 10 January 2025
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OIC secretary-general arrives in Pakistan to attend summit on girls’ education in Muslim countries

  • Pakistan’s education ministry will host the global conference in Islamabad on January 11 and 12
  • The conference’s aim is to stress Islam’s message that both men, women have right to education
Updated 10 January 2025
KASHIF IMRAN

ISLAMABAD: Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Secretary-General Hissein Brahim Taha has arrived in Pakistan to attend a global conference on girls’ education in Muslim countries, according to the Pakistani education ministry.
Pakistan’s education ministry will host the global conference titled, “Girls’ Education in Muslim Communities: Challenges and Opportunities,” in Islamabad on Jan. 11-12.
Around 150 representatives from 47 countries, including education experts, religious scholars, diplomats, and politicians are expected to partake in the summit.
Pakistani Education Minister Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui received the OIC secretary-general upon arrival in the South Asian country.
“Bringing together global leaders, educators, and changemakers to discuss innovative solutions and inspire progress for #GirlsEducation in Muslim communities,” the Pakistani education ministry said on Friday.
“This landmark event is a step toward creating opportunities, breaking barriers, and empowering future generations. Let’s ensure #EducationForAll and drive meaningful #GlobalConversations that transform lives!“
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will inaugurate the conference and deliver a keynote address at the opening session on Saturday. Pakistan’s foreign office said Sharif will reaffirm the nation’s commitment to promoting girls’ education and gender equality.
An “Islamabad Declaration” will be announced at the end of the conference on Sunday that would outline decisive steps to transform girls’ education in Islamic countries, according to Siddiqui.
On Thursday, Siddiqui said the primary aim of the conference is to stress the implementation of the Islamic message, which clearly states that both men and women have the right to education.
“By promoting girls’ education, we can build better homes, a better society and a stronger nation,” he said.
The Pakistani education minister hoped that Afghanistan would also join representatives from other Islamic countries and attend the conference in Islamabad.
“We have extended an invitation to Afghanistan to participate in this conference and hope that their delegation will attend as it is a very important neighboring country,” he told reporters at a media briefing in Islamabad.
Since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, at least 1.4 million Afghan girls have been denied access to secondary education, according to a report by the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) released in August last year.
Siddiqui said everyone respects tribal customs and cultures, but all such practices must align with Islamic values in Muslim countries, adding that nothing holds precedence over them.
“In Islam, there is no justification for restricting women’s education,” he added.

Topics: Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Pakistan OIC Ties girls education

UN watchdog says Australia violated rights of asylum seekers from Pakistan, other nations

Updated 10 January 2025
AFP
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UN watchdog says Australia violated rights of asylum seekers from Pakistan, other nations

  • Under a hard-line policy, Australia sent thousands of migrants attempting to reach the country by boat to ‘offshore processing’ centers
  • The first case examined by the panel involved 24 unaccompanied minors from Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Myanmar
Updated 10 January 2025
AFP

GENEVA: Australia violated the rights of asylum seekers arbitrarily detained on the island of Nauru, a UN watchdog ruled Thursday, in a warning to other countries intent on outsourcing asylum processing.
The UN Human Rights Committee published decisions in two cases involving 25 refugees and asylum seekers who endured years of arbitrary detention in the island nation.
The panel of 18 independent experts found that in both cases Australia violated the rights of migrants, including minors who received insufficient water and health care.
“A state party cannot escape its human rights responsibility when outsourcing asylum processing to another state,” committee member Mahjoub El Haiba said in a statement.
The UN body called on Australia to provide adequate compensation to the migrants and to take steps to ensure similar violations do not recur.
The committee has no power to compel states to follow its rulings, but its decisions carry reputational weight.
Australia’s government said it was considering the committee’s views and would give a response “in due course.”
“It has been the Australian government’s consistent position that Australia does not exercise effective control over regional processing centers,” said a spokesperson for the Department of Home Affairs.
“Transferees who are outside of Australia’s territory or its effective control do not engage Australia’s international obligations.”
Under a hard-line policy introduced in 2012, Australia sent thousands of migrants attempting to reach the country by boat to “offshore processing” centers.
They were held in two detention centers — one on Nauru and another, since shuttered, on Papua New Guinea’s Manus Island.
The UN committee rejected Australia’s argument that rights abuses that occurred on Nauru did not fall within its jurisdiction.
It highlighted that Australia had arranged for the establishment of Nauru’s regional processing center and contributed to its operation and management.
El Haiba said Australia “had significant control and influence over the regional processing facility in Nauru.”
A number of European countries have been examining the possibility of similar arrangements to outsource their migration policies.
Thursday’s decisions “send a clear message to all states: Where there is power or effective control, there is responsibility,” El Haiba said.
“The outsourcing of operations does not absolve states of accountability. Offshore detention facilities are not human rights-free zones.”
The first case examined by the committee involved 24 unaccompanied minors from Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Myanmar.
They were intercepted at sea by Australia and transferred in 2014 to Nauru’s overcrowded Regional Processing Center.
They were held there “with insufficient water supply and sanitation, high temperatures and humidity, as well as inadequate health care,” Thursday’s statement said.
“Almost all of these minors have suffered from deterioration of physical and mental well-being, including self-harm, depression, kidney problems, insomnia, headaches, memory problems and weight loss.”
Even though all but one of the minors were granted refugee status around September 2014, they remained detained in Nauru, the committee said.
It added that Australia had failed to justify why the minors could not have been transferred to centers on the mainland more suitable for vulnerable individuals.
The committee separately evaluated the case of an Iranian asylum seeker who arrived by boat on Christmas Island with several family members in August 2013 and was transferred seven months later to Nauru.
The woman was recognized as a refugee by Nauru authorities in 2017, but was not released.
In November 2018, she was transferred to Australia for medical reasons, but remained detained in various facilities there, the committee said.
It determined that Australia had failed to show that the woman’s prolonged and indefinite detention was justified.

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