A flight carrying Pakistani pilgrims from Iraq successfully arrived in Karachi on Saturday morning, following a prolonged delay at Baghdad airport.
The Iraqi Airways flight IA-2431, which departed from Baghdad, landed in Karachi at 6:15am Pakistan time, bringing relief to the stranded passengers. The passengers had been stranded at the Baghdad airport for several hours.
According to a spokesperson from the Foreign Office, 654 Pakistani pilgrims had been stranded at Baghdad airport for several hours due to technical issues with two Iraqi Airways flights. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Aviation, and the Pakistani Embassy in Iraq were working tirelessly to ensure the safe and timely return of the pilgrims.
"We are in contact with the Iraqi authorities and Iraq Airways for the early return of Pakistani pilgrims," the spokesman said.
She said the deputy prime minister of Pakistan had also issued directives to ensure the well-being of the affected pilgrims until they could return home. During their stay in Baghdad, the Pakistani embassy provided food and arranged temporary accommodation for the pilgrims.
The Foreign Office spokesperson confirmed that all stranded Pakistani pilgrims were expected to be sent back to Pakistan by the end of the day.
The safe return of the pilgrims marks a successful resolution to what could have been a more challenging situation, demonstrating effective diplomatic and governmental intervention in times of need.
