PIA's special flight evacuates 107 Pakistanis from Iran
KARACHI: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) successfully completed its first special rescue flight, bringing home 107 Pakistani nationals who were stranded in Iran due to airspace restrictions.
According to PIA spokesman, the special flight PK-9552 safely landed in Islamabad at 3:00 am on Wednesday.
Due to the closure of Iranian airspace, the stranded Pakistani citizens were unable to fly directly from Iran. Instead, they traveled overland to Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan, where the PIA aircraft picked them up for the final leg of their journey home.
The evacuation operation required extensive diplomatic coordination, with Pakistani embassies in both Iran and Turkmenistan playing crucial roles in facilitating the safe passage of the stranded nationals, he said.
The special flight was launched on direct instructions from the Government of Pakistan, demonstrating the country's commitment to protecting its citizens abroad during times of crisis.
The returning passengers expressed their appreciation for the timely intervention by both the Pakistani government and PIA. They praised the efficient coordination that made their safe return possible despite the complex logistical challenges, he added.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
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