Pakistan deputy PM calls PIA flight restoration ‘major priority’ in talks with UK officials

Pakistan deputy PM calls PIA flight restoration ‘major priority’ in talks with UK officials
View of the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) passenger plane, taken through a glass panel, at Islamabad International Airport, Pakistan October 3, 2023. (REUTERS/File)
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Updated 08 September 2024
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Pakistan deputy PM calls PIA flight restoration ‘major priority’ in talks with UK officials

Pakistan deputy PM calls PIA flight restoration ‘major priority’ in talks with UK officials
  • Ishaq Dar says the government will start receiving bids for PIA privatization from October 1
  • Deputy PM tells the media his five-day visit to London as ‘potentially very useful’ for Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar on Saturday described restoring Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flights to the United Kingdom and other European countries as a “major priority,” saying that he raised the issue with British officials during his five-day visit to London, which he called beneficial for the country.
The suspension of PIA flights to the UK and Europe followed a 2020 plane crash in Karachi that killed 97 people. This was compounded by a controversial statement from Ghulam Sarwar Khan, the aviation minister in former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s administration, who asserted that a significant number of Pakistani pilots held fake licenses, leading to the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) ban on PIA.
Since then, the airline has undergone multiple audits to address safety and operational concerns in hopes of restoring international routes.
Addressing a news conference in London, Dar criticized the former aviation minister’s “irresponsible statement,” saying Pakistan had since made every effort to resume PIA flights.
“I told the [British] deputy prime minister [Angela Rayner] that it is a serious matter for our community and diaspora,” he said during the media interaction at the Pakistan High Commission. “It is a major priority. So, we will continue to engage and will not sit and relax until as long as this thing is done.”
Dar noted that while restoring flights to Britain and Europe was important, advancing the privatization process of the national airline was equally vital.
“We will start receiving the first round of bids for PIA [privatization] on October 1,” he said, adding the government was also outsourcing Islamabad airport operations, with bids expected next month.
He further emphasized that his visit to Britain had been highly productive.
“I believe that my visit was extensive, busy and potentially very useful for Pakistan,” he said.
This was Pakistani deputy prime minister’s first visit to Britain following the change of government in the UK, where the Labour Party won the general elections in July and returning to power after 14 years.


US stays reticent on lawmakers’ call for Biden to seek Imran Khan’s release

US stays reticent on lawmakers’ call for Biden to seek Imran Khan’s release
Updated 1 min 56 sec ago
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US stays reticent on lawmakers’ call for Biden to seek Imran Khan’s release

US stays reticent on lawmakers’ call for Biden to seek Imran Khan’s release
  • US lawmakers wrote to Biden last week, asking him to secure release of political prisoners in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: A US State Department official confirmed on Monday that the administration in Washington had received a letter from over 60 Democratic lawmakers urging President Joe Biden to secure the release of Pakistani political prisoners, including former prime minister Imran Khan, though he was reticent to discuss the likely response.
US lawmakers urged President Biden last week to address concerns over alleged irregularities in Pakistan’s February 8 general elections and opposition mistreatment, calling for human rights to be made a central pillar of US policy toward Pakistan.
However, the Pakistani authorities described the letter as “counterproductive,” saying it was not in line with the “positive dynamics” of ties between the two states.
Matthew Miller, the US State Department Spokesperson, was asked about the letter and the Biden administration’s position on it during a news conference.
“We’ve received it and will respond in due course to the members,” Miller responded succinctly.
He was asked about the recent release of ex-premier Khan’s wife and sisters from prison, where they were detained on various charges last week, as the questioner wondered if the development was linked to US Deputy Assistant Secretary for Democracy and Human Rights Monica Jacobsen’s recent meeting with Pakistan’s federal human rights secretary in Islamabad.
“So, all I will say about that is that the deputy assistant secretary in that meeting emphasized the important role of human rights, support for a vibrant civil society, and strong democratic institutions play in our comprehensive US-Pakistan relationship,” the State Department official said.
Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party has frequently complained about facing a state crackdown, with several top leaders imprisoned for over a year, including the former prime minister, who has been tried in multiple cases ranging from treason to corruption.
Khan says all cases against him are fabricated to keep him out of politics.
The PTI also maintains it was not allowed to campaign freely ahead of the last general elections, which were marred by a mobile Internet shutdown on election day and unusually delayed results, leading to accusations of rigging and raising concerns from rights groups and foreign governments.


Pakistan dispatches 17th relief consignment for war-afflicted people of Gaza, Lebanon

Pakistan dispatches 17th relief consignment for war-afflicted people of Gaza, Lebanon
Updated 10 min 53 sec ago
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Pakistan dispatches 17th relief consignment for war-afflicted people of Gaza, Lebanon

Pakistan dispatches 17th relief consignment for war-afflicted people of Gaza, Lebanon
  • Consignment comprises 17 tons of supplies including tents, food tins, dry milk, rice, clothes, hygiene kits and medicines 
  • Pakistan vows to continue relief shipments in the backdrop of Israel’s military offensives in Gaza and Lebanon 

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) dispatched the 17th relief consignment for the war-affected people of Gaza and Lebanon on Tuesday, state-run media reported, vowing to continue relief supplies amid Israel’s ongoing military campaigns in the Middle East.

Pakistan has dispatched relief items including winterized tents, food items and hygiene kits to people in Lebanon and Gaza as Israel scales its military operations in both areas. Israel’s relentless bombing in Gaza has killed over 42,000 people, among them women and children, as UN agencies and humanitarian organizations warn of the outbreak of diseases and starvation in the area. 

The NDMA dispatched the relief consignment in collaboration with the Pakistani charity organization, the Al-Khidmat Foundation, state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) said in a report. The consignment comprised 17 tons of supplies including tents, food tins, dry milk, rice, clothes, hygiene kits and medicines. 

“NDMA has dispatched the 17th relief consignment for the war-affected people of Gaza and Lebanon,” APP said. “The government has sent 17 aid consignments to Gaza, Palestine, with a total volume of 1610 tons.”

Relief supplies for the people of Gaza and Lebanon are loaded onto a plane in Karachi, Pakistan, on October 29, 2024. (PID)

Representatives from Pakistan’s foreign ministry, the NDMA and Al-Khidmat Foundation attended the send-off ceremony held at the Jinnah International Airport in Karachi.

Pakistan has also set up a special account titled: “Prime Minister’s Relief Fund for Gaza and Lebanon,” under PM Shehbaz Sharif’s directions, for donations for the people of Gaza and Lebanon.

Pakistan does not recognize nor have diplomatic relations with Israel and calls for an independent Palestinian state based on “internationally agreed parameters” and the pre-1967 borders with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.

Since the beginning of Israel’s war on Gaza, Pakistan has repeatedly raised the issue at the United Nations, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and other multilateral platforms and demanded international powers and bodies stop Israeli military actions in Gaza.


Kashmiri leopard succumbs to gunshot wounds in Islamabad

Kashmiri leopard succumbs to gunshot wounds in Islamabad
Updated 57 min 28 sec ago
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Kashmiri leopard succumbs to gunshot wounds in Islamabad

Kashmiri leopard succumbs to gunshot wounds in Islamabad
  • Reports reveal multiple bullet shots and spine injuries that caused internal damage
  • The leopard named Nawab was over six years old and weighed around 63 kilograms

ISLAMABAD: A male leopard succumbed to injuries while being treated for gunshot wounds in Islamabad, the federal capital’s wildlife department confirmed on Monday, after rescuing him from the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) region.

Pakistan’s northern areas, including AJK, are home to diverse wildlife such as snow leopards, ibex, and Himalayan brown bears.

Despite conservation efforts, exotic animals often face threats from poaching and habitat loss. Leopards are particularly vulnerable, with illegal hunting and trafficking putting immense pressure on their population.

The Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB) said it had rescued the leopard named Nawab from the Hatila Balla area of Jhelum district and shifted to a veterinary clinic for medical treatment after a distress call from the AJK Wildlife Department.

“Sad News! Nawab, a majestic 6.5-[year]-old male leopard rescued from AJK, succumbs to bullet injuries,” it said in a social media post. “IWMB mourns the loss & reiterates its commitment to protecting Pakistan’s wildlife.”

The IWMB spokesperson, Omer Bilal, told the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) the leopard’s X-ray reports revealed spine injuries and multiple bullet wounds that caused severe internal damage to Nawab who weighed around 63 kilograms.

Bilal said the leopard was a “healthy and beautiful” animal before being shot.

“His tragic demise highlights the urgent need for better conservation efforts and enhanced protection of our endangered wildlife,” he added.

The doctor treating the leopard revealed that a bullet had been removed from his vertebra column while another was stuck inside. He said the entire spinal cord was damaged while vertebras were also fractured.

The IWMB has reiterated its commitment to safeguarding Pakistan’s precious wildlife from hunters and poachers after the incident, urging the public to report illegal hunting of exotic animals to the dedicated helpline.


16 Pakistani companies participate in UAE’s Beautyworld Middle East trade exhibition 

16 Pakistani companies participate in UAE’s Beautyworld Middle East trade exhibition 
Updated 29 October 2024
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16 Pakistani companies participate in UAE’s Beautyworld Middle East trade exhibition 

16 Pakistani companies participate in UAE’s Beautyworld Middle East trade exhibition 
  • Beautyworld Middle East trade fair, taking place from Oct. 28-30 in Dubai, features over 1,800 exhibitors 
  • Pakistani companies showcasing hair, cosmetics and skincare, fragrance, perfumes and personal hygiene products

ISLAMABAD: Sixteen Pakistani companies are taking part in Beautyworld Middle East 2024 trade exhibition, one of the most renowned and prominent beauty trade shows around the world, in the United Arab Emirates, the Pakistani consulate general in Dubai said on Tuesday. 

The Beautyworld Middle East 2024 is the region’s largest international trade fair for the beauty and wellness industries, taking place at the Dubai World Trade Center from Oct. 28-30. The exhibition is hosting over 1,800 exhibitors from 60 countries with Pakistani companies showcasing hair, cosmetics and skincare, fragrance, perfumes and personal hygiene products.

“Sixteen exhibitors from Pakistan are participating under the patronage of the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP),” the Consul General of Pakistan in Dubai said. 

Pakistan’s UAE envoy Faisal Niaz Tirmizi praised Pakistani exhibitors, crediting them for introducing “innovative and high-quality products.” He said their participation was an important step toward promoting Pakistan’s beauty and personal care products globally.

The Pakistan Pavilion at the exhibition was inaugurated by the consul general of Pakistan, Hussain Muhammad, who highlighted that the event allowed Pakistani businessmen to present their products in a bid to promote exports and attract foreign investment.

He commended Pakistani exhibitors for diversifying their products and expanding their market, underscoring the consulate’s support in this regard at the “globalized” Dubai market.

Pakistani businesses regularly participate in exhibitions held in the UAE. Earlier this month, they took part in a four-day Gulf Information Technology Exhibition (GITEX) in Dubai to showcase its growing prowess in the IT sector, with a focus on tapping into the lucrative Middle Eastern markets. 


Two cops, three ‘terrorists’ killed in attack on polio team in northwestern Pakistan— police 

Two cops, three ‘terrorists’ killed in attack on polio team in northwestern Pakistan— police 
Updated 55 min 44 sec ago
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Two cops, three ‘terrorists’ killed in attack on polio team in northwestern Pakistan— police 

Two cops, three ‘terrorists’ killed in attack on polio team in northwestern Pakistan— police 
  • Armed men open fire on polio vaccination team in northwestern Orakzai Agency, says Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police
  • Attack takes place day after Pakistan launched nationwide campaign to vaccinate over 45 million children against polio

PESHAWAR: Two cops were killed on Tuesday after armed men attacked a polio vaccination team in northwestern Pakistan, police said, adding that three “terrorists” were also shot dead during the exchange of fire. 

The incident took place in Pakistan’s restive northwestern Orakzai Agency’s Dabori area on Tuesday morning, police said in a statement shared with media. It added that police engaged the armed men after they targeted a polio vaccination team, killing one cop and injuring another. The second police officer later succumbed to his wounds. 

“In retaliatory fire, three terrorists were killed and another wounded was arrested by the police party,” Orakzai Agency police spokesperson Muhammad Musa told Arab News. 

Police said a search operation is underway to locate the gunmen who had attacked the polio vaccination team. 

The incident takes place a day after Pakistan launched a week-long polio vaccination campaign to inoculate over 45 million children after an alarming surge in cases this year. Pakistan this year reported 41 polio cases compared to only six last year. 

Pakistan and Afghanistan remain the only two countries in the world where polio remains endemic. 

Religiously motivated militants, including the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, have frequently launched attacks on polio vaccination teams in Pakistan. These groups accuse polio vaccination teams of using inoculation campaigns to sterilize Pakistani children based on a Western conspiracy. 

The masses’ doubts regarding polio campaigns were exacerbated in 2011 when the US Central Intelligence Agency set up a fake vaccination program to gather intelligence on former Al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden.

In September, two people were killed when gunmen attacked a polio vaccination team in northwestern Bajaur tribal district. One of those handing out doses was killed while a policeman exporting him was also gunned down.