PIA brings back 128 Pakistanis stranded in Uzbekistan

ISLAMABAD: The Embassy of Pakistan, Tashkent successfully repatriated 128 stranded Pakistani nationals from Republic of Uzbekistan, through a special flight of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) on Monday.

According to a press release issued by the embassy as a humanitarian gesture, the same flight also brought back 22 Uzbek nationals from Pakistan, said a press release received here. These stranded Pakistanis including tourists who came to Republic of Uzbekistan on short-term visa and could not return to Pakistan due to suspension of international flights following COVID-19 outbreak.

During their stay in Uzbekistan, the Embassy of Pakistan, Tashkent took all necessary steps to ensure complete well-being of these Pakistanis. The embassy provided food, accommodation and medicines to many of these compatriots.

The entire embassy personnel were at the Tashkent International Airport during their repatriation to Pakistan in order to avoid any inconvenience to them. “We are grateful to all relevant authorities of government of Uzbekistan for their support and cooperation to ensure smooth repatriation of our citizens,” said an official of Pakistani Embassy.