More than 20,000 stranded Pakistanis to return by next week

ISLAMABAD: The federal government has issued a new schedule of special flights to bring back more than 20,000 stranded Pakistanis from around the world.

Special Assistant to Prime Minister on National Security Dr Moeed Yusuf has said that the government would further increase the number of inbound passengers per week through expediting the coronavirus testing process at the airports.

Mooed Yusuf further said that the government planned to repatriate 20,000 passengers by June 10. “Passengers will be tested on arrival and sent home for self-isolation,” he added.

The federal government released the new flight schedule for next week, after changes in the standard operating procedures (SOPs) for international flight operations. Accordingly, 79 domestic and foreign flights would be operated till June 10.

According to the Aviation Division, the national flag carrier, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), would operate 52 flights to bring back 13,000 stranded Pakistanis, while 6,500 Pakistanis would be repatriated via foreign airlines.