During the National Assembly’s Question Hour, Parliamentary Secretary Zeb Jaffar announced that Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) had made a financial recovery and resumed its flight operations to the European Union, including direct services to Paris.
Responding to a question from MNA Sharmila Faruqi, Jaffar highlighted how past statements in Parliament had adversely affected the airline’s global standing.
“The consequences of those remarks were felt by the country,” she said, referring to a controversial statement made by former aviation minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). His remarks led to international flight bans on PIA, severely impacting its operations and reputation.
Jaffar confirmed that renewed engagement with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) had paved the way for the resumption of PIA flights to Europe. She also noted that discussions with UK aviation regulators were progressing positively.
“Talks are also under way with Turkish Airlines to enhance international connectivity for Pakistani passengers,” she added.
As part of a broader strategy to strengthen PIA’s global presence, the airline has launched direct flights from Lahore to Baku, Azerbaijan, aiming to promote tourism and boost international travel links.
The government plans to expand PIA’s network to profitable routes, especially across the Middle East and North Africa. Jaffar stated that these efforts are ongoing and their outcomes will become more visible in the coming months.
In a major milestone, PIA reported its first annual profit in over two decades. According to audited financial statements cited by Bloomberg, the airline earned Rs5.01 per share for the year ending December—its first profitable year since 2003. This turnaround comes as Pakistan moves forward with its plans to privatize the national carrier.
Read More : India, Pakistan Exchange Detained Border Personnel in Rare Act of Cooperation
