Pakistan to increase flight capacity to 50% for passengers from Gulf nations from July 15
A PIA aircraft readies for takeoff. Photo used for illustrative purposes only.
Gulf Today Report
For Pakistani residents of the UAE, the news is very welcome. Pakistan on Tuesday announced that it would increase the capacity of inbound international flights to 50 per cent from July 15.
The flights will repatriate Pakistanis from different countries, including the Gulf nations such as the Emirates.
It is estimated that over 1.5 million Pakistanis live in the UAE, and have been badly affected by the flight suspension.
The decision was taken by the National Command and Operations Centre (NCOC) to facilitate the repatriation of the Pakistanis who have been totally at sea after being stuck here.
The authorities expect that the move will allow the arrival of 2,500-3,000 passengers per day.
All Pakistan airports have been directed to get ready to deal with the situation.
The NCOC has also made vaccination against the virus a must for domestic travellers from Aug.1.
The number of total active cases now stands at 39,644 as 1,590 more people tested coronavirus positive in the last 24 hours.
Federal Minister Asad Umar on Tuesday said that more that 500,000 people got vaccinated in a single day, which is the highest number since the vaccination campaign started in Pakistan.
Umar said that Pakistan administered half a million doses to its citizens for the first time and hoped that the vaccination drive would gather pace in the coming days.
