Mar 8, 2022: PIA’s Boeing 777 plane left for Ukraine to evacuate Pakistanis stranded there.

A Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) plane, Boeing-777, left for Poland on Tuesday to airlift the Pakistanis stranded in Ukraine following the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

From Lahore airport, the PK-7787 has left for Warsaw, the capital of Poland, at 7:23 a.m. [today], and will land there by 10:00 am as per the local time,” PIA spokesman Abdullah Hafeez Khan said in a press release issued here.

He said the plane, dispatched on the directives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, would bring back around 300 Pakistanis to the country and land at the Islamabad International Airport, while “more flights will also be operated on the instructions of the government of Pakistan,” the PIA spokesman said.

The special flight was dispatched at the behest of Foreign Ministry according to PIA spokesperson Abdullah Khan. Khan said more such flights will also be operated on the instructions of the government of Pakistan.

PIA announced the plan to evacuate Pakistanis stranded in Ukraine a day after Russia invaded. Air Marshal Arshad Malik, chief executive officer (CEO) PIA, had said that they were ready to bring back stranded Pakistani students from Ukraine, following an attack from Russia.

“We are in touch with foreign ministry officials for the return of stranded students in Ukraine,” he said and added, “As soon as we get a green signal, we will operate flights for those trapped in war-hit Ukraine.” He said the airline was working with the Pakistan embassy in Ukraine to coordinate the evacuation operation.

Later, the airline announced that the preparations for the departure of 2 flights, on Sunday, from Pakistan to Poland had been completed. Inadequate airport arrangements have been reported in cities, especially in Lublin, near the Ukrainian-Polish border for large aircraft operations.

The Pakistani embassy said it would liaise with all such individuals who needed to be airlifted and providing them with the necessary information. In addition, the PIA administration said it is in full touch with the Foreign Ministry and Pakistani diplomatic staff.

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