UK to launch special flights to Pakistan to evacuate Afghan immigrants
The United Kingdom is planning to initiate special refugee
flights aimed at evacuating Afghan nationals from Pakistan. The effort
primarily seeks to assist those Afghans who collaborated with the UK prior to
the Taliban's return to power in 2021. Many of these individuals sought refuge
in neighboring countries after the Taliban took control of Kabul.
Notably, officials from the British High Commission recently
held discussions with the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) regarding
the possibility of organizing these special flights to facilitate the
resettlement of Afghan immigrants in the United Kingdom. According to a senior
aviation official, a substantial number of Afghan nationals who had cooperated
with the UK during the presence of foreign forces in Afghanistan have fled to
neighboring states, including Pakistan, in pursuit of international refuge.
These individuals are currently awaiting relocation.
British
High Commissioner donates two airport security scanners to Pakistan
The meeting between the British High Commission delegation,
led by Political Consul Zoe Ware, and senior officials from the Pakistan Civil
Aviation Authority covered the arrangement of special flights for transporting
Afghan immigrants to the UK. Notable attendees at this meeting included Air
Commodore (retired) Shahid Qadir, who headed the PCAA team, as well as
representatives from the Anti-Narcotic Forces, Federal Investigation Agency,
Pakistan Customs, Airport Security Forces, and Pakistan International Airlines.
A statement from the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority
conveyed the British government's appreciation for Pakistan's assistance in
facilitating special flights to transport Afghan immigrants to the United
Kingdom. Official data released by UK authorities indicates that by the end of
March 2023, approximately 24,600 people, including British nationals, had
successfully relocated to the United Kingdom.
UK
aviation team completes audit of CAA, PIA
It's worth noting that Pakistan's caretaker administration
has issued a deadline for "illegal immigrants," primarily Afghan
nationals, to leave the country by November 1 or face expulsion.
Source: Arab News