Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has announced a unique humanitarian mission to repatriate Pakistanis stranded in Iran on a very short notice given the quickly escalating tension in the region. The decision clearly indicates that the Government is still trying to get our people to a safe place even if it’s going to be much harder to fly them due to the Israel and Iran war.
The Plan for Leaving PIA sent a special flight from Peshawar to Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, because there are still no direct flights to or from Iran. According to a report from the Associated Press on ARY News, the first flight brought 150 Pakistanis, including students and pilgrims, from Mashhad to Ashgabat, where they boarded a PIA flight back to Pakistan. The Supreme Court told us to help people in Pakistan who are having trouble right away, and this mission does that.
The airline plans to run more special flights to keep the evacuation going until everyone who is stuck gets home safely. The embassy has had to work closely with the governments of Iran and Turkmenistan. PIA and embassy staff helped people get to Ashgabat and helped them along the way.
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A Broader View
Since Israel bombed Iranian nuclear sites, the Israel-Iran conflict has complicated flying. Grounded Pakistan shut down its airspace on safety and raised issues of cost and permits to fly to Iran, for example, aboard duty-free air. Thus people traveling in transit, some pilgrims or in transit to Pakistan after studying, could not fly directly home to Pakistan.
The Foreign Office set up a Crisis Management Cell to help people get home and give medical and logistical help at border crossings like Taftan. The government told them to do this. On June 16, 350 Pakistanis crossed the land border at Taftan. There were 305 people on the pilgrimage and 45 students. They were then taken to Quetta for help with medical and administrative issues.
While this was simultaneous to the repatriation of 618 Pakistanis from Iraq and Iran. This also shows that individuals will assist their fellow citizens in danger and help them return home.
Why PIA’s Role Is Important
PIA is still the only airline in Pakistan that can quickly get people out of the country. It used to be able to get people back home during global crises like the Covid pandemic, wars in the Gulf, and problems in the Cayman Islands.
The embassies in Tehran and Baghdad work with other countries to make sure that people can leave the country on time. PIA’s quick response shows that it can be trusted to help in times of national emergency.
What to do next and what to look forward to
The government and PIA are watching the situation very closely:
There will be more flights added as needed, especially for students and pilgrims who need to stick to a schedule.
The embassy is working closely with people from Iran and Turkmenistan to make sure that travel is as safe as possible as soon as possible.
People who have been rescued get health checks, temporary housing, and help getting around, especially those who come through Taftan.
Last Thoughts
PIA’s work shows that the government is serious about keeping people safe if things go wrong. The airline, the foreign office, and diplomatic channels are all working well together because hundreds of Pakistani students and pilgrims were able to leave Iran without any problems.
It’s important to keep things moving forward as things change in the area. Pakistanis who are stuck will be able to get home quickly and safely thanks to airlifts, land border protocols, and embassy services. Because of the ongoing repatriation, we will learn how to deal with problems in the future.
