198 Pakistanis stranded in Turkey return to Islamabad via PIA special flight

ISLAMABAD (92 News) – A special flight of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) from Istanbul carrying 198 Pakistanis stranded in Turkey has landed in Islamabad. A total of 198 Pakistani citizens were stuck in Istanbul due to lockdowns and suspension of flight operations. After raising the issue of 92 News, a special PIA flight was then used to bring back the passengers to Pakistan. Arrangements for screening the incoming travelers for coronavirus are in place at the airport. However, five persons tested positive of coronavirus and shifted to the isolation ward. Earlier, the government has allowed the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) to restore the international flight operation partially. On the request of the Canadian government, PIA’s two special flights (PK-781 and PK-789) carrying 600 passengers left for Toronto from Lahore and Karachi. After the restoration of the flight operation, the PIA will bring back about 2,000 Pakistanis stranded in different countries. In the first phase, limited people will be brought back so that they could be tested according to the capability of the National Institute of Health, Islamabad. However, the authorities suspended the extension of the domestic flight operation till April 11.