162 Pakistanis stranded in Canada reach Islamabad

ISLAMABAD: As many as 162 Pakistani nationals stranded in Canada owing to the suspension of airline operations due to coronavirus epidemic, reached Islamabad via a special flight of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA).

According to the airport officials, a PIA’s special flight PK-798 brought the stranded Pakistanis from Toronto Pearson International Airport to Islamabad.

Sources said that all the passengers have been shifted to a quarantine centre after screening and testing them for the coronavirus. The sources added the passengers will be allowed to leave for their homes if their test results return negative.

Earlier, a Pakistan International Airlines’ (PIA) special flight from Istanbul carrying 194 Pakistani nationals who were stuck in Istanbul Airport had landed in Islamabad on Friday.

A total of 194 Pakistani citizens were stuck in Istanbul due to suspension of flight operations and lockdowns aimed to limit the spread of coronavirus. A special PIA flight PK-786 was then used to bring back the passengers to Pakistan.