The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has unblocked the bank accounts of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) after the national carrier assured the tax collection body of clearing all pending dues, ARY News reported.

The FBR had blocked PIA’s bank accounts over non-payment of taxes amid an “all-important” audit from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). However, the accounts were unblocked after PIA submitted written assurance to the FBR that it would clear all pending dues.

This is a significant development for PIA, which has been grappling with a severe financial crisis in recent years. The airline has been struggling to pay its debts and has been forced to cut back on flights. The unblocking of its bank accounts will provide PIA with much-needed liquidity and will help it to resume normal operations.

The news of the unblocking of PIA’s bank accounts comes as a delegation from the European Commission and EASA is currently in Pakistan to assess the country’s aviation safety standards. There is hope that the delegation’s visit will lead to the lifting of the ban on PIA flights to Europe, which was imposed in 2020 following a plane crash in Karachi.

The lifting of the ban would be a major boost for PIA, as it would allow the airline to resume flights to some of its most lucrative destinations. It would also help to restore confidence in the airline and could lead to an increase in passenger numbers.

Overall, the unblocking of PIA’s bank accounts is a positive development for the airline and for the Pakistani aviation industry. It is a sign that the airline is making progress in addressing its financial problems and that it is committed to improving its safety standards.