257 Pakistanis stranded in Iraq reach Islamabad

ISLAMABAD: As many as 257 Pakistanis stranded in Iraq, owing to the suspension of airline operations due to the COVID-19 epidemic, have reached Pakistan via a special flight of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) on Saturday.

At Baghdad International Airport, Pakistani envoy Sajid Bilal saw off the passengers who were stranded in Iraq. On the occasion, the Ambassador also conveyed his gratitude to the government of Iraq for their valuable support in facilitating the repatriation of stranded Pakistanis.

Sources said these stranded Pakistani were working for oil and gas companies and were unable to return following the suspension of international flight operations. The passengers expressed their gratitude to the Pakistani authorities for operating a special flight for their repatriation.

They also conveyed their appreciation for the immaculate arrangements made for their safe return. Sources further said the special flight along with the passengers landed in the federal capital from Baghdad International Airport.

Upon their arrival, the passengers were screened and checked by the doctors at the airport. The authorities will allow the passengers to go home if their samples for the coronavirus turn out negative. Until then the passengers will be kept in a quarantine facility.

Earlier, Federal Minister for Aviation, Ghulam Sarwar Khan had informed the National Assembly that 7,000 stranded Pakistanis will be brought back home before Eid-ul-Fitr 2020.

During the National Assembly session, Ghulam Sarwar Khan had said that thousands of stranded Pakistanis, including, pilgrims, members of Tableeghi Jamaat, workers and students from across the globe have been repatriated.

The minister said Pakistani inmates from Oman and the United Arab Emirates were brought back free of cost through special flights. He said Aviation Division operated 181 inbound flights and took over 25,000 passengers to their destinations in 27 countries.

Sarwar further informed around 250 students from Wuhan and China will be repatriated through the special flight on Monday. He said chartered planes would be dispatched to repatriate stranded Pakistanis.