The spokesperson emphasised the fact that the PIA had kept flying in and out of Kabul under “difficult circumstances” when others had ceased their operations….reports Asian Lite News
Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), the national carrier of Pakistan, on Thursday said it has immediately suspended its operation in Kabul citing “security reasons”.
Abdullah Khan, the national carrier’s spokesperson, confirmed the development, saying that Kabul operations of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) will remain suspended until further notice, Dawn reported.
The spokesperson emphasised the fact that the PIA had kept flying in and out of Kabul under “difficult circumstances” when others had ceased their operations.
“The PIA evacuated around 3,000 people after the rapidly changing situation in Afghanistan,” said the PIA spokesperson, adding that among the people flown out of Kabul were officials of the United Nations, World Bank, the IMF, other global organisations as well as international journalists.
Earlier in the day, the Afghanistan Civil Aviation Authority (ACAA) called on PIA and Kam Air airlines to bring down the fares of Kabul-Islamabad flights back to the pre-August 15 rates.
The ACAA also threatened to stop flights between Kabul and Islamabad if the airlines do not comply, Tolo News reported.
The PIA and Kam Air are some carriers operating flights to Afghanistan.
Meanwhile, a Taliban official was killed and 11 others were injured in an explosion on Thursday in Afghanistan’s Kunar province, a sorce said.
The source told Xinhua news agency that the incident occurred near a bridge in the provincial capital Asadabad’s Karhali locality.
“Abdullah who served as the Taliban’s police chief for Shegal district in Kunar lost his life in the incident,” the source added.
Meantime, Attahullah Sapay, head of the provincial hospital, said that among those wounded were seven civilians, including a woman and two children, and four Taliban members.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack yet.
Militants affiliated with the Islamic State (IS) outfit are active in the region.
The security situation remained generally calm but uncertain across Afghanistan since the Taliban’s takeover in mid-August.
However, a spate of bomb attacks were launched by IS-affiliated militants in Kabul, northern Kunduz and eastern Nangarhar provinces in recent weeks. (ANI/IANS)
