ISLAMABAD: A special flight of the National Airline (PIA) has returned home carrying pilgrims from Syria.
According to the details, the PIA plane received a warm welcome on landing in the evening after more or less 27 years. Special flights departed Damascus, Baghdad, and Najaf for Arbaʽeen. The plane carrying the national flag was also given a water-gun salute at Damascus airport.
According to reliable sources, Federal Minister for Aviation Ghulam Sarwar Khan and CEO PIA Air Marshal Arshad Malik were also present on the flight. The two met at the airport with the Syrian Minister of Transport. Meanwhile, the Syrian ambassador to Pakistan was present.
Earlier, a Pakistani delegation in the form of a caravan visited the shrine of Hazrat Bibi Zainab. The Syrian Minister of Dignity received the PIA staff and delegation. The delegation offered Fateha at Roza Zainab and performed Nawafil in the mosque.
Federal Aviation Minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan and CEO PIA returned home on a special flight. Earlier, a PIA plane carrying 322 visitors landed on Syrian soil after 27 years, which is being called a historic milestone.