PIA flight carrying 274 Pakistani students departs from Wuhan

A special flight of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) departed from Wuhan, China on Monday to bring back 274 Pakistani students back home.

It is the first special flight of PIA from China to transport Pakistani nationals. The returning students have been studying in several universities of Hubei and continued staying in China after the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic.

All passengers upon arriving in Pakistan would be subject to relevant procedures of government for containing the spread of disease.

Earlier, on May 8, the government announced to repatriate students from the Chinese city of Wuhan. PIA spokesperson confirmed that a special flight of the national flag carrier will bring back stranded nationals on May 18.

PIA flight to bring students back from Wuhan

According to the spokesperson, some 250 students will be brought back on the first flight which will land in Islamabad. Pakistan, since February, has ignored the Hubei-based students’ pleas to leave China as many other countries flew their citizens out.

In March, President Arif Alvi and Minister for Foreign Affairs Shah Mahmood Qureshi visited China and interacted with Pakistani citizens there via video link.

Upon returning from the trip, both the foreign minister and President Alvi briefed the media and said that the students were in a good condition and had only requested that Pakistani food be provided to them.

Stay tuned to Baaghi TV for latest news and updates!