Special Operation
Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has initiated a special repatriation mission to bring back more than 150 Pakistani nationals who were stranded in Iran following the sudden closure of Iranian airspace due to escalating regional tensions.
According to official sources, the special operation reflects Islamabad’s urgent response to ensure the safe return of its citizens amid growing concern over regional instability affecting civilian air travel.
The national flag carrier deployed a special Airbus A320 aircraft which departed from Peshawar and made its way to Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan. The stranded Pakistanis—originally located in Mashhad and Tehran—were transported overland to Ashgabat in a coordinated effort involving the Pakistani Embassy in Tehran and local authorities in Iran and Turkmenistan.
The group included Pakistani citizens residing in Tehran, as well as family members of diplomatic staff posted in Iran. These individuals had been stranded for several days after Iran closed its airspace in response to mounting geopolitical tensions in the region, which disrupted several international flight paths.
A senior official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, confirmed that the flight carrying the repatriated Pakistanis is scheduled to land in Islamabad later tonight. “The safe return of our citizens was the top priority, and this mission was executed with careful planning and coordination between multiple government entities,” the official stated.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in collaboration with Pakistan’s diplomatic mission in Iran, worked diligently to devise an alternate evacuation route. The embassy in Tehran played a crucial role in facilitating the ground transport from Mashhad to Ashgabat, overcoming numerous logistical and diplomatic challenges along the way.
Officials further noted that PIA will continue its special flight operations under the directives of the federal government. Additional repatriation flights may be arranged if the situation remains volatile and airspace restrictions continue.
This operation highlights Pakistan’s commitment to safeguarding its citizens abroad during emergencies and reflects the country’s capability to mobilize swift and effective diplomatic and logistical responses during regional crises.
The success of this mission also underscores the importance of international coordination and preparedness in dealing with sudden disruptions to global travel routes.
