Pakistan has renewed its push to restore direct flights to the United States, the interior ministry confirmed on Friday, following high-level talks between Pakistani and American officials in Islamabad.
Background of the Ban
The United States, United Kingdom, and European Union imposed a ban on Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) after a deadly crash in Karachi in May 2020. The Airbus A-320 accident, which claimed nearly 100 lives, was attributed to pilot and air traffic control errors. Subsequently, allegations emerged that nearly one-third of PIA pilot licenses were fake or dubious. PIA was privatized in December 2025.
Meeting Between Officials
Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi discussed the resumption of PIA flights to the US during a meeting with US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Paul Kapoor. “We want an early start of direct flights between Pakistan and the US,” Naqvi was quoted as saying by his ministry.
Last year, the airline resumed flights to Europe and the UK after a four-and-a-half-year ban was lifted. In September 2025, a five-member US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) team engaged with the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) to review the country’s aviation standards.
Broader Bilateral Cooperation
Both sides also discussed Pakistan-US relations and increasing cooperation in security, counter-terrorism, and counter-narcotics, according to an interior ministry statement. The latest developments in the US-Iran conflict in the Middle East were also discussed, with Naqvi saying Islamabad was “optimistic” about a lasting and peaceful solution.
The US Assistant Secretary of State praised Pakistan’s role in peace and stability in the region, the interior ministry added.
Pakistan’s Diplomatic Role
Pakistan has played an increasingly visible diplomatic role since the US-Iran war began on February 28. In recent weeks, Islamabad facilitated communication between Washington and Tehran, hosting their first direct talks on April 11–12. Pakistani officials have since expressed optimism that a deal could be reached “sooner rather than later,” though differences remain over the scope and sequencing of any agreement.
