ISLAMABAD: As many as 128 Pakistani nationals stranded in Uzbekistan owing to the suspension of airline operations due to coronavirus epidemic, reached Pakistan via a special flight of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) on Monday.
According to sources, the Embassy of Pakistan in Tashkent successfully repatriated 128 stranded Pakistani nationals from the country. Sources further said as a humanitarian gesture, the same flight also brought back 22 Uzbek nationals from Pakistan.
These stranded Pakistanis included tourists who came to the Republic of Uzbekistan on short-term visas and could not return to Pakistan due to the suspension of international flights following the coronavirus epidemic.
Sources added during their stay in Uzbekistan, the Embassy of Pakistan inTashkent took all essential measures to make sure the complete well being of these people.
Sources said the entire embassy personnel were at the Tashkent International Airport during their repatriation to Pakistan in order to address any trouble they may have faced.
An official of the Pakistani Embassy said that they are grateful to all relevant authorities of the government of Uzbekistan for their support and cooperation to make sure smooth repatriation of the stranded people.