A special Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight successfully brought home 107 Pakistani nationals who had been stranded in Iran due to recent airspace restrictions. The flight, PK-9552, landed in Islamabad at 3:00 AM on Tuesday after departing from Ashgabat, Turkmenistan.
According to officials, the Pakistani citizens had travelled by land from Iran to Ashgabat after Iran’s airspace was closed amid growing regional tensions. The Pakistani embassies in Iran and Turkmenistan coordinated closely to facilitate the safe transit and return of these passengers.
This repatriation mission was carried out under the direct guidance of the Government of Pakistan. Earlier this month, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had instructed authorities to ensure the protection and safe return of Pakistani Zaireen (pilgrims) amid the evolving situation in the region.
Read More: PIA Diverts Flights Amid Iran Airspace Shutdown
In response to the Prime Minister’s directives, a Crisis Management Cell was set up at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to monitor developments and assist stranded citizens. Officials confirmed that the embassy staff in both countries remained active throughout the operation.
Passengers onboard the flight expressed gratitude for the swift response by the government and PIA. The national airline stated that it remains committed to serving the country during times of need, a principle it has upheld for decades.