PIA operates five special flights for repatriation of stranded Pakistanis

PIA operated five special flights for repatriation of stranded Pakistanis in various countries due to the coronavirus pandemic, however, the decision regarding resumption of the PIA cargo flights is pending with the National Coordination Committee (NCC), sources said.

A spokesman of the PIA told Business Recorder that special flights to China are permitted to fly back protected equipment from China. But dedicated cargo flights for international destinations are suspended therefore; passenger flights are serving to carry out limited cargoes.

He said, "Special flight to China; we do not have dedicated cargo plane, so depend on passenger flights." The PIA Cargo transports a range of commodities across Pakistan as well as to a number of global destinations.

The commodities that the PIA Cargo ships range from edibles such as meat, seafood, seasonal fruits, vegetables, to textiles, paper products, laboratory/surgical equipment, cars, aircraft parts, heavy machinery and human remains.

A spokesman of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) states that permission of any cargo flight is subjected to permission and necessary clearance from the CAA.

A notification of the CAA states, "As per the decision of the government, the suspension of international and domestic flight operations as effected earlier has been extended up to Tuesday April 21 at 2359 hours PST. Remaining provisions as applicable to the suspension of international and domestic flights reflected in the previous orders remains unchanged."

The aviation authority has released a notice to airmen (NOTAM) for permission to operate special flights by the PIA to facilitate nationals trapped in foreign countries due to the suspension of flight operations amid coronavirus crisis. After getting the permission, the national flag-carrier operated a special flight on Saturday to Azerbaijan's city, Baku to bring back 125 Pakistanis. Another PIA plane also flies to, for repatriating 175 Pakistanis from Malaysia's capital Kuala Lumpur.

The same flight will also carry diplomatic staff and citizens of Malaysia and Singapore from Islamabad. Moreover, a special plane also departed to Paris on April 11 to transport French citizens. On April 12, another relief flight will be operated between Islamabad to Japan's capital Tokyo to transport Japanese citizens.

Pakistan railways also suspended its passenger trains operations and allowing one cargo trains. Pakistan Railways spokesperson Ali Nawaz Malik told Business Recorder that on average 12 freight trains were operating per day from Karachi port to various parts of the country. The government did not suspend the freight train operations and continue as usual in order to ensure smooth supply of essential commodities across the country, he added.

Around six of these trains are carrying coal for power projects and the remaining other goods, available at the port, said Malik, adding that due to lockdown, goods were not available for taking to port and most of these trains return empty. It is feared that the number of freight trains may reduce in coming days due to decline in imports and exports internationally.