KARACHI: A Flydubai flight en route to Sri Lanka made an emergency landing in Karachi, Pakistan, overnight, carrying two Israeli citizens. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has denied having any knowledge of Israeli nationals on Pakistani soil, highlighting the incident’s diplomatic sensitivity given the lack of formal relations between Israel and Pakistan.
The emergency landing occurred due to the deteriorating condition of a passenger on board. The flight, FZ-569, was traveling from Dubai to Colombo when it diverted to Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport at approximately 11 PM on Wednesday.
Unfortunately, the passenger, identified as a Sri Lankan national, was pronounced dead after being examined by a medical team. Her body was subsequently sent to Khidmat-e-Khalq Foundation in Malir and later flown to Sri Lanka on a separate flight.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry confirmed the presence of the Israeli citizens on board and stated that it worked with relevant parties to ensure their well-being. Despite this confirmation, CAA spokesperson Saifullah Khan expressed unawareness of any Israeli nationals on the flight. “The report about the Flydubai flight 569 just mentioned it was en route to Colombo from Dubai and that the condition of a woman worsened, resulting in the emergency landing,” Khan informed. He emphasized that the report did not specify the number of passengers or their nationalities.
Pakistan does not recognize Israel, and its passports explicitly state they are not valid for travel to Israel. This stance is part of Pakistan’s broader diplomatic support for Palestine. The country has consistently called for an independent Palestinian state based on pre-1967 borders and condemned Israeli military actions in Gaza.
The incident underscores the complexities of international travel amidst geopolitical tensions. While the emergency landing was primarily a medical issue, the involvement of Israeli citizens added a layer of diplomatic sensitivity, given Pakistan’s firm stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict. The flight resumed its journey to Sri Lanka shortly after the emergency landing, with the Israeli passengers remaining on board.
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