LAHORE - National Flag Carrier on Thursday transported 500 Pakistanis stranded in Libya to their homeland on the instructions of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, said a spokesman of PIA.
He said airline had decided to operate special flights to Libya to bring back the stranded Pakistanis and the first Boeing 747 relief flight arrived Thursday at Lahore airport at 12:15 pm. On their arrival at Lahore airport district manager PIA Muhammad Umer Draz, station manager Manzoor Hussain Jr, ticket office manager Israrul Haq and public relations manager Athar Hasan Awan welcomed the passengers.
Stranded Pakistanis thanked the prime minister for his concern to bring them back to Pakistan. They also appreciated PIA for operating the flight in a war zone. PIA spokesperson said more flights to Libya will be operated on the instructions of government of Pakistan.
“Pakistan International Airlines, the national flag carrier, has always stood by the people of Pakistan whether it’s a relief operation during natural disasters or bringing back the standard Pakistanis to join their loved ones,” said spokesman.
On the eve of Independence Day of Pakistan, flag hoisting ceremonies at the PIA offices across the country, were held. At airline’s head office Managing Director PIA Shah Nawaz Rehman hoisted the national flag. He also informed that the recently acquired aircraft A-320 on wet lease had been added to PIA fleet and started its schedule flights.