ISLAMABAD: A second special flight of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has brought back stranded Pakistani citizens from Iran, the airline’s spokesperson confirmed.
According to the spokesperson, the PIA flight departed from Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, bringing back 121 passengers to Lahore who had earlier traveled overland from Iran to Azerbaijan.
“Pakistani citizens present in Iran were transported to Baku via land routes, where they were then boarded on the special PIA flight,” the spokesperson said.
The spokesperson further stated that Pakistani embassies in Iran and Azerbaijan played a crucial role in coordinating and facilitating the repatriation process.
Earlier, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar thanked Azerbaijan for facilitating stranded Pakistanis.
“Heartfelt thanks to the Leadership and Government of Azerbaijan for welcoming Pakistani nationals, including the elderly, women, and children, coming from Iran,” he said in a post on social media platform X.
Heartfelt thanks to the Leadership and Government of Azerbaijan for welcoming Pakistani nationals, including the elderly, women, and children, coming from Iran.
I would also like to express sincere gratitude to my brother Foreign Minister @Bayramov_Jeyhun and his Foreign Office…— Ishaq Dar (@MIshaqDar50) June 20, 2025
The special flight operation was launched on the directives of the Government of Pakistan as part of broader efforts to ensure the safe return of citizens stranded abroad amid regional tensions and travel disruptions.
PIA remains steadfast in its commitment to national service, continuing to provide essential support to Pakistanis worldwide during times of crisis.
Pakistan’s Foreign Office spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan, in his weekly press briefing on Thursday, said the evacuation of Pakistanis stranded in Iran is underway.
“Our Embassy in Tehran and our Consulates in Zahidan and Mashhad have been active around the clock, extending all possible facilitation and support to our nationals in Iran,” he said.
“So far, nearly 3000 Pakistani nationals have already been evacuated,” he added.
