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British Airways suspends flights to Pakistan

by Sanjay Jha | September 21, 2008 at 11:37 pm

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Expats living in Pakistani capital Islamabad are shocked and shaken after the massive suicide truck bombing attack at the Marriott Hotel which was so close to their life in Pakistan. Marriott was the place they were taking as first point of landing in Pakistan before going to anywhere within Pakistan or Afghanistan. This is where they normally would eat, dine and attend conferences.

Pakistan on Sunday blamed Al-Qaida linked Taliban militants for the massive suicide truck bombing at the Marriott Hotel that killed at least 60 people and injured more than 260. In the first casualty British Airways has decided to suspend its operation until September 29.

British Airways (BA) has suspended flights to Pakistan, Geo News reported on Sunday. Samma TV reported that British authorities had decided that the airline’s services would remain suspended until September 29. However, ARY quoted the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) director general as saying he had no information about the suspension of BA services, and no notice to this effect had been received. daily times monitor

The impact of the this massive blast has been felt at the other hotels. Tourist and business travellers have cancelled their Pakistan trip. Luxury hotels across Pakistan have got cancellation to the tune of the 50% of their reservations.

Reservations at three and five-star hotels across the country have dropped by around 50 percent after Saturday’s suicide attack at Marriott Hotel in Islamabad. Dawn News reported that the hotel business in Karachi has been adversely affected after the attack. “Visitors avoid staying with us because they think they are exposed to danger in the presence of foreigners,” said a hotel manger in Islamabad. daily times monitor/staff report

In the meantime Government is worried about backlash against western citizens living in the capital. Pakistani government has ordered more security for British & US diplomats.

The federal government has directed the four provinces and the Azad Kashmir government to tighten the security of US and British nationals and diplomats across the country, Geo News reported on Sunday. According to the channel, the British Embassy had written to the Interior Ministry to increase the security of UK officials and citizens living in Pakistan. The Sindh government has increased the security of US citizens living in Karachi. daily times monitor

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