Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has denied operating chartered flights to the United Kingdom in order to evacuate VIPs or the relations of top government officials from Pakistan.

There are reports that the chartered flights of national flag carrier are being operated to the United Kingdom with the purpose to evacuate VIPs or the relations of government officials, raising serious questions on PIA special flights operations.

However, the airline claimed that flights were operated at the behest of the British High Commission and in close coordination with the Government of Pakistan with the intent to evacuate British Nationals stranded in Pakistan consequent to the outbreak of Covid-19.

Similarly, passengers returning to Pakistan on these flights were predominantly Pakistani Nationals stranded in the United Kingdom and the seats were available for purchase to everyone. Therefore, these flights are not being operated for the benefit of VIPs or for the relations of government officials, PIA spokesman said.