ISLAMABAD: Over 150 Pakistani pilgrims stranded in Iran due to the growing tensions between Iran and Israel were brought back to Islamabad on a special PIA flight from Turkmenistan’s capital Ashgabat.
According to aviation sources, the flight was arranged on the request of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. A PIA Airbus was sent from Peshawar to Ashgabat, where it picked up the pilgrims who had traveled by road from Iran, as Iranian airspace remains closed due to security concerns.
The special flight PK-9552 landed in Islamabad late at night. The families of Pakistani diplomatic staff in Iran were also on board.
Foreign Office sources said the evacuation of diplomatic families and non-essential staff from Iran is a precautionary step. However, Pakistan’s embassy in Tehran and its consulates in other cities will continue to function normally.
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Officials added that the decision was taken purely for safety reasons amid regional tensions.
Meanwhile, on Monday, 350 more Pakistanis, including 45 students, arrived in Taftan from Iran. Most of them were pilgrims. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has confirmed that 450 Pakistani pilgrims had already returned, and more arrangements were being made to bring back Pakistani students from Iran safely.
