Besides doing air operations, Pakistan has also taken up the subject with Afghan Taliban at the diplomatic level and raised a strong protest over the recent terrorist acts emanating from Afghan land and cross border infiltration.

Pakistan lodged a demarche regarding drones dispatched by the Afghan Taliban and violation of Pakistani airspace on September 23. The démarche was delivered to the Afghan authorities yesterday.

Pakistan has protested forcefully to the Afghan authorities over recent terrorist attacks and border transgressions. Foreign Office spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan also acknowledged the development and said Pakistan has expressed significant concerns to the Afghan authorities regarding terrorism and the border situation.

Pakistan also told the Afghan government that terrorist incidents inside Pakistani territory and transgressions at the border would not be tolerated. Pakistan also called upon Afghanistan to ensure its territory is not used against Pakistan and to take decisive action against terrorist elements.

The latest demarche was Pakistan raising its concerns with the Afghan authorities over terrorist attacks, drone incursions and events on the border.

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) management has placed a fresh restriction on the number of cigarets that cabin crew members can carry while performing flight duties, warning of disciplinary action against those violating the regulation.

A circular published by PIA management says that a cabin crew member would be allowed to carry only one packet with up to 20 cigarets when travelling on flying duty.

The circular says that action would be taken against any cabin staff member seen carrying more than one packet or 20 cigarets during the assignment.

PIA’s management has cautioned that offenders may be suspended or taken off flying duties based on circumstances and the disciplinary procedures in place.

The airline also ordered cabin crew to be briefed on the new guideline before departure. The Management has directed the concerned authorities to strictly adhere to the directive.

The new ban came following an incident involving a PIA flight from Multan to Jeddah, sources said. The reports stated that during the aircraft operation, five cabin workers were caught with a big number of cigaret packages.

Sources claimed the issue has been brought to the PIA Human Resources department where a probe against the five crew members is apparently underway.

The revised guideline seems to set a particular limit on the number of cigarets carried by cabin crew while on flying duty and aims to curb the unapproved carrying of bigger numbers.

The airline’s cabin crew are subject to a variety of corporate rules and regulations regarding aviation . International flights may also be subject to customs rules for items transported across borders .

PIA management has thus, asked its working staff to observe the recently issued directive and not to carry quantity beyond the permitted limit.

The requirement has also been conveyed through pre-flight briefings to ensure that cabin crew members are aware of the restriction before commencing their duty.

The airline took the decision after the probe into the alleged event in Multan, with the HR probe likely to determine the facts of the cigaret packets that the five crew members were allegedly carrying.

The claims against these persons are part of the internal investigation process until the inquiry is completed.

The new instruction pertains to cigarets carried by cabin staff on flying duty. The circular states the allowable quantity as one packet or 20 cigarets.

PIA management has asked its relevant departments to guarantee compliance of the order and reminded the workers that breach of the order can lead to disciplinary repercussions including suspension or removal from flying responsibilities.

The region, already under threat of terrorism, cannot afford political protests or long marches at a time when preserving peace is a significant concern, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi remarked.

Kundi told the media on Sunday that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) was not in a position to conduct a long march or protest at this time and a red line would have to be set to preserve peace and stability in the province.

Governor emphasised the sacrifices of Pakistan’s security services in the war against terrorism saying their efforts were before everyone.

He said that Pakistan Army was a red line and also levelled allegations about Afghanistan’s supposed involvement as a conduit for India and Israel.

Kundi also discussed the demands of some PTI members for talks with Afghanistan. He added, talks could not be held with the individuals or groups who do not respect Constitution and laws of Pakistan.

The governor’s comments come as security concerns continue to grip the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, where terrorism and political tensions remain key concerns. He said the province should be kept a priority for peace and political issues should be settled through constitutional and legal ways.