Islamabad: After being banned by European and United States aviation agencies, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is in negotiation with a private airline to operate chartered flights for Pakistanis stranded in Europe and the US.
Once the agreement is sealed, the private airline concerned could use PIA aircraft and operate chartered flights to bring back Pakistanis.
According to the PIA spokesperson, given the current restrictions, a lot is being planned and PIA is mindful of overseas Pakistanis living in various European countries and also in the US.
They are either stranded there because of COVID-19 or want to return to Pakistan for the Eid holidays.
PM repeats resolve to bring all Pakistanis back
Prime Minister Imran Khan on Saturday in a tweet reiterated his government’s resolve to bring the Pakistani communities stranded overseas due to coronavirus. Already, we have brought around 250,000 Pakistanis and overseas workers from various countries, the PM tweeted.
“Despite massive disruptions in global air travel, we have fulfilled our promise of bringing back stranded Pakistanis and our overseas workers. 250,000 Pakistanis from around the world have been brought home. My govt will continue to support overseas Pakistanis in every way possible,” Imran said in his tweet. https://twitter.com/ImranKhanPTI/status/1284387893876842497
Pakistanis from 70 countries have returned home
Special Assistant to Prime Minister (SAPM) on National Security, Dr Moeed Yousuf, met Imran and informed him that more than 225,000 stranded Pakistanis had been repatriated to Pakistan so far from 70 countries as part of the operation launched in April this year.
A statement issued from the Prime Minister’s Office quoted SAPM as saying: “The government is fulfilling the prime minister’s commitment of repatriating overseas Pakistanis stranded in different countries of the world due to suspension of flights because of the coronavirus pandemic.”
Imran has also been quoted as saying: “Any Pakistani living in any part of the world is our responsibility and the government would strive to fulfil it.”
Omani airliner allowed six flights to Pakistani cities
Meanwhile, The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has granted permission to Oman-based airliner, Salam Air, to operate six flights from Muscat to five cities of Pakistan. The flights will be operated from July 18 to July 24.
Salam Air had requested the CAA to allow special flights to repatriate Pakistanis from Muscat.
According to the schedule approved by the CAA, Salam Air will operate its first flight from Muscat to Karachi on July 18, to Sialkot on July 19, to Multan on July 20 and to Islamabad on July 22. Salam Air will operate its flight from Muscat to Peshawar on July 23 and to Lahore on July 24, 2020.
