ISLAMABAD (PEN) : Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has commenced a special repatriation mission to bring home over 150 Pakistani nationals stranded in Iran following the closure of Iranian airspace amid heightened regional tensions.
Emergency Flight Operation via Turkmenistan
According to official sources, a special PIA Airbus A320 departed from Peshawar and arrived in Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan. The stranded Pakistanis—originally in Mashhad, Iran—were transported to Ashgabat with the assistance of Pakistan’s embassy in Tehran and local authorities.
The group includes citizens from Tehran as well as families of Pakistani diplomatic staff stationed in Iran, many of whom had been unable to leave due to the temporary suspension of civilian air traffic over Iranian territory.
“The flight carrying the repatriated Pakistanis will land in Islamabad late tonight,” confirmed a senior official, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Coordinated Efforts by Foreign Ministry and Embassy
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, working in close coordination with Pakistan’s diplomatic mission in Iran, played a key role in facilitating the evacuation. Embassy officials arranged ground transport from Mashhad to Ashgabat, enabling PIA to execute the retrieval flight safely and efficiently.
The decision to launch the special operation follows days of growing concern for Pakistani nationals caught in travel limbo due to regional instability and airspace restrictions.
More Flights Likely as Situation Evolves
PIA officials stated that the airline will continue these special operations under federal government directives. Additional flights may be scheduled if the situation in the region requires further evacuations.
This operation highlights Pakistan’s commitment to ensuring the welfare of its citizens abroad, especially during times of crisis, and underscores the complexities of maintaining international connectivity during geopolitical disruptions.
