According to official sources, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has initiated a special flight operation to repatriate over 150 Pakistani nationals who were stranded in Iran following the closure of Iranian airspace.
A dedicated PIA Airbus A320 aircraft departed from Peshawar and landed in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, serving as a transit point for the stranded Pakistanis who had been transported there from Iran’s city of Mashhad. The group of Pakistani nationals included citizens from Tehran and family members of embassy officials stationed in Iran, all of whom had been stuck for several days due to regional flight disruptions. Sources indicate that their movement from Iran to Turkmenistan was facilitated by the Pakistani embassy in Tehran, working in coordination with local authorities.
“The flight carrying the repatriated Pakistanis will land in Islamabad late tonight,” a senior official confirmed on condition of anonymity, as they were not authorized to speak to the media.
This airlift operation comes amidst increasing concern for citizens facing travel limbo due to heightened tensions in the region, which led to the temporary suspension of civilian air traffic over Iranian territory. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in close coordination with Pakistan’s mission in Iran, devised an alternative route to ensure the safe return of affected nationals. The embassy played a pivotal role in organizing the ground transport from Mashhad to Ashgabat.
Officials stated that PIA will continue its special flight operations under the directives of the federal government, adding that more flights are anticipated depending on the evolving situation. This latest operation underscores Islamabad’s commitment to maintaining connectivity for its diaspora during regional crises, while also highlighting the significant logistical challenges encountered when traditional air routes become inaccessible.
