As news broke of the United Kingdom lifting its ban on Pakistani airlines, several journalists and social media users rushed to share the development—unfortunately, some did so with a misleading PIA image.
An old promotional image, originally posted by Pakistan International Airlines, is making the rounds again, attached to the latest headlines about the UK’s Air Safety List update.
Breaking 🚨🚨
Pakistan removed from the UK’s Air Safety List. Today’s announcement means that all Pakistani airlines can now apply to operate flights to the UK. Following air safety improvements, the UK’s Air Safety Committee has lifted UK restrictions on Pakistani carriers.… pic.twitter.com/ikzbGOuBiM
— Murtaza Ali Shah (@MurtazaViews) July 16, 2025
The image has resurfaced across social media platforms. Notably, journalists such as Shama Junejo, Hamza Azhar Salam, and Murtaza Ali Shah have tweeted the image alongside the latest news, giving the impression that it is a fresh or official visual from the current development.
Congratulations Pakistan…
The dark spot of Imran era has finally ended and @Official_PIA will officially resume flights to UK from 14th of August.
Thank you @CMShehbaz for your countless efforts. pic.twitter.com/6xPj6Ayiqi— Dr Shama Junejo (@ShamaJunejo) July 16, 2025
PIA resuming flights to UK from 14th August after UK’s Air Safety Committee lifts ban! 🇵🇰🇬🇧 pic.twitter.com/ZdN8HTXRUr
— Hamza Azhar Salam (@HamzaAzhrSalam) July 16, 2025
The original image was part of PIA’s announcement of flight resumption to three UK destinations back in July 2020.
PIA is resuming its flights to the UK. Now PIA passengers would again be able to fly direct between Pakistan and three destinations in United Kingdom. Stay tuned with PIA for more information #PIA #GREATPEOPLETOFLYWITH #WEAREONE pic.twitter.com/6GcyKFzH7P
— PIA (@Official_PIA) July 30, 2020
This recycling of old promotional material not only misleads the public but also blurs the line between past and present events. The use of the 2020 image—rather than a current, relevant photo—can create confusion about the status of PIA’s operations and the actual progress made since the ban was first imposed.
Wow asking questions and fact checking ? That’s new