The UK has confirmed that it will stop the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) from its airspace, which will extend the four -year ban on continuing aviation security concerns.
On Tuesday, a spokesman for the UK Department of Transport (DFT) said the ban was enforced, emphasizing that carriers would have to pass a strict security review process before lifting any ban. Talks between the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority and Pakistani regulators are underway, but no timeline has been provided for rehabilitation.
The UK’s Air Safety List currently prohibits all Pakistani certified airlines from running or going to the UK or running or running trade services. According to the UK official website, the ban applies to any air carrier under the supervision of Pakistan’s Aviation Authority.
Fake License Saga
As a result of the PIA 2020 accident, Prime Minister Sarwar Khan had revealed that there were 860 active pilots working with domestic trade airlines. Including the National Career, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA).
Khan said 262 pilots “did not take the test” and instead paid someone else to appear on their own.
Some of them have “not even a flying experience,” he emphasized that other widespread irregularities such as Napotism, which are suffering from PIA, and they have accused the previous governments.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=myxvyklh8oi
Khan revealed details of the number of suspicious license pilots about the details of a preliminary investigation into the PIA plane crash in Karachi on May 22, 2020, killing 97 people.
The restrictions remain in place
Hopes recently raised after reports that the British Air Safety Committee was reviewing the PIA case, but Tuesday’s confirmation eliminated expectations for the British heaven’s return. The ban has been going on since July 2020, after revealing that dozens of Pakistani pilots have been working with a fake license.
The scandal exploded when an Airbus A320 crashed in Karachi, killing about 100 people. The then minister Shahi Ghulam Sarwar Khan acknowledged the license during the parliamentary session, which led to the immediate flight suspension from the UK, the European Union and the United States.
Since then, the airline has suffered significant financial losses, which estimates that revenue of more than Rs 40 billion ($ 144 million) annually. The suspension of key Western markets has also affected PIA’s reputation and international access.
Despite the challenges, the PIA launched direct flights from Islamabad to Paris in January 2025 and identified a limited milestone, raising hopes for a wider European return. Abdullah Hafis Khan, a spokesman, said PIA is ready to resume flights to London, Manchester and Birmingham after approval of clearance.
Since regulatory obstacles are underway abroad, the Pakistani government is accelerating its efforts to privatize airline. The Cabinet Committee on Privatization, under the chairmanship of Deputy Prime Minister Senator Ishaq Dar, has recently approved a fast -paced plan to sell the majority shares between 51 % and 100 % with the rights of the administration.
Dar confirmed the government’s commitment to the privatization process, saying that the PIA’s capacity must be unlocking and reducing the financial burden on the national budget.
