British Airways announces return to Pakistan after a decade

After suspending its services in Pakistan for a decade, British Airways announced on Tuesday of resuming its flights to the country.

British High Commissioner Thomas Drew announced on his Twitter handle via a video, that flights will be resumed in the country from next year in June. He said this would further boost links 'between the UK and Pakistan'.

British Airways returns to Pakistan. Direct flights from London Heathrow to Islamabad’s new airport start in June. A further boost to links between the UK and Pakistan - especially on trade and investment. @British_Airways pic.twitter.com/TGEjopOVx1

— Thomas Drew (@TomDrewUK) December 18, 2018

Robert Williams, the British Airways head of sales for Asia Pacific and the Middle East, announced that the first flight will touch down in Islamabad. Williams held a joint press conference with Prime Minister Imran Khan's Special Assistant on Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development Zulfi Bukhari.

Following this announcement, Director General Inter-Services Public Relations Major General Asif Ghaffor also took to Twitter and thanked British Airways for reviving its flight operations in Pakistan. "The dividends of decades long struggle of Pakistani nation and its security forces for restoration of peace and stability in the country are on the way," he said.

The dividends of decades long struggle of Pakistani nation and its security forces for restoration of peace and stability in the country are on the way. Thanks to @British_Airways for reviving its flight operations in Pakistan.@TomDrewUK#PeacefulPakistan#????_???_??_????_??

— Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor (@OfficialDGISPR) December 18, 2018

The Birtish Airways suspended its flights in 2008 after a terrorist attack on the Marriot hotel in Islamabad.