Prime Minister Imran Khan Saturday said Pakistan will partially open its airspace for international flights by Sunday mainly to facilitate the overseas workers.
“We will partially open airspace for intl flights on Sunday. This is being done specially to help our overseas workers who have suffered most in this pandemic but have shown great courage & made us proud,” the prime minister posted on his Twitter handle. He welcomed the expatriates returning to their homes and assured that the government will facilitate them in every way.
The prime minister also appreciated the philanthropic role played by the overseas Pakistani community in helping their countrymen abroad during Covid-19. “There are many examples where the Pakistani community has been a source of inspiration, helping those around in need,” he remarked.
Meanwhile, as many as 450 Pakistanis stranded in Doha and Dubai on Saturday reached Pakistan via two international flights. A flight of Qatar Airways carrying 200 Pakistanis from Doha landed at the Karachi International Airport, while flight of Emirates Airlines also landed at the Karachi airport with 250 Pakistanis on board.
It may be noted that the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) on Friday had issued a new advisory after making announcement for resumption of the international flight operation in Pakistan. Separately, Pakistan International Airlines has sought permission from the federal government to bring back 10,000 Pakistanis from Saudi Arabia and another 15,000 from United Arab Emirates, said a spokesman of the national carrier here Saturday. Mentioning that a week-long major operation has been chalked out for the purpose, he said 25,000 passengers will be transported via more than 100 flights so as to facilitate the citizens stranded in these countries due to their inability to procure air tickets.
