PIA slashes airfares for special repatriation flights from Dubai

At least 4,620 Pakistanis stranded in the UAE will be repatriated from May 1 to 10 through special flights by Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and the UAE's carriers.

Out of 30 scheduled flights from different GCC countries from May 1 to 10, around 17 will be operated from the UAE.

The PIA will operate 11 flights and UAE carriers will run the remaining six to repatriate stranded Pakistanis from the country, according to Syed Zulfi Bukhari, special assistant to Prime Minister Imran Khan on overseas Pakistanis.

"Flights to bring our people back have been increased as per Prime Minister Imran Khan's instructions to facilitate the maximum number of people. Airplanes to Saudi Arabia are also added. Even with increased capacity, I request overseas Pakistanis to avoid unnecessary travel and let more deserving people get a chance to travel at priority," Bukhari said on his Twitter account.

Flights will be operating to all the major cities - Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, Multan and Faisalabad.

Earlier on Sunday, PIA slashed one-way airfares for its special flights from Dubai to Pakistan.


Ahmad Amjad Ali, Consul-General of Pakistan in Dubai, had earlier announced that airfares would be reduced between 20-30 per cent.

The Consulate-General said the frequency of special flights will increase in coming days to repatriate Pakistani nationals. So far, over 1,600 Pakistani nationals have been repatriated from Dubai and Northern Emirates through seven PIA special flights so far.

"To bring back stranded Pakistanis from different countries, PIA is offering affordable special flight fares adjusted to match other international airlines. Anyone intending to travel should check these fares before ticket purchase and report exploitation if any," said Syed Zulfi Bukhari, special assistant to prime minister Imran Khan on overseas Pakistanis.

Don't buy special flight tickets from travel agents

Pakistanis stranded in the UAE have been advised not to purchase PIA tickets from any travel agent and rather wait for a call from the consulate after registering online, Pakistan Consulate Dubai said on Sunday.

"The Consulate-General of Pakistan Dubai makes it clear that no travel agent has been authorised to sell PIA tickets for these special flights from Dubai. Tickets can only be purchased at designated place once you receive call from the Consulate as per merit list retrieved from the online registration done with the Consulate," it said.

It urged people not to visit consulate for tickets and if anyone is overcharged on these special flights by PIA, they should lodge complaint with the Consulate in Dubai.

Around 40,000 Pakistani nationals registered with the consulate in Dubai through its online portal for repatriation.

Ration distribution continues

The Consulate-General has also distributed ration among 11,500 Pakistani needy families and individuals during last four weeks in Dubai and Northern Emirates, with the help of Pakistani philanthropists in Dubai.

The ration distribution by the Consulate will continue. The Consulate conveys its gratitude to Pakistani community members for their valuable support in this regard.

Ahmad Amjad underscored the UAE government's generosity towards hosting of Pakistani workers in such a large number and hoped to continue the bilateral cooperation in this regard.
waheedabbas@khaleejtimes.com