ISLAMABAD – A special Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight successfully brought home 107 Pakistani nationals stranded in Iran due to regional instability and the closure of Iranian airspace.
The special flight PK-9552 landed in Islamabad early Tuesday morning, arriving from Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. The passengers had earlier traveled overland from Iran to Ashgabat after air routes were shut down amid escalating tensions in the Middle East.
According to a PIA spokesperson, the operation was carried out under the direct orders of the Government of Pakistan. The country’s embassies in Iran and Turkmenistan played a key role in coordinating the safe transit and return of affected citizens.
Passengers expressed deep gratitude toward the government and PIA, praising the airline’s quick response and commitment to serving Pakistanis during difficult times. Many called the rescue a proud reflection of the airline’s legacy in supporting national interests during crises.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that Pakistan has started withdrawing non-essential diplomatic staff from embassies in the region as a precaution. Officials stated that families of the staff are also being evacuated in coordination with Iranian authorities.
However, Pakistan’s embassy in Tehran and consulate offices across Iran will continue to function as normal. The government assured the public that essential diplomatic operations will not be interrupted, and all necessary steps are being taken to ensure the safety of its citizens and staff abroad.