US too places ban on PIA flights.

Byline: Anwar Iqbal and Mohammad Asghar

WASHINGTON/RAWALPINDI -- In a tough body blow to the national flag carrier, the US authorities on Thursday stopped the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) from operating special flights from the United States, official sources in Washington and Islamabad said.

The sources in the US confirmed the decision was based on an official Pakistani statement saying a number of PIA pilots could be possessing dubious licences/credentials.

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency has already withdrawn the authorisation granted to the PIA to operate flights to and from its member countries. And several countries, including Malaysia and Vietnam, have started investigations into the credentials of Pakistani pilots and other aviation personnel working in their jurisdictions.

The US Department of Transportation (DOT) expressed concern over flight safety and revoked the special permission granted to PIA to operate special flights to and from the United States.

National flag carrier has even been stopped from engaging in non-revenue operations

'This revocation is effective immediately,' an email sent to the Pakistani authorities said. Not only had the PIA's...