A day after the federal government announced the gradual restoration of country’s international flights operation, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) swung into action on Thursday with its two planes taking off for Canada.

The two special flights were granted permission on the request of the Canadian government.

As more and more countries are evacuating their citizens from Pakistan amid the coronavirus pandemic, 600 Canadian nationals left for Toronto from Lahore and Karachi in the two PIA flights on Thursday.

Two special PIA flights – PK-781 and PK-789 – carried them to their destination, which will return empty after airlifting the Canadian nationals.

The Canadian High Commission, in a tweet, advised its citizens for 14-day self-isolation and ensuring social distancing after returning back home.

https://twitter.com/CanHCPakistan/status/1245553195490906117

The latest flights are part of a series in which other countries have already arranged flights for their nationals.

Earlier on Tuesday, a special flight carrying 262 German citizens and some diplomats left Islamabad for Frankfurt via Doha.

The empty flight of Qatar Airways QR-7482 had arrived in the federal capital from Doha.

On Monday, a special cargo plane of the US Air Force transported some vehicles and other items of the American embassy and its staff members from Pakistan.

Last week, as many as 69 American diplomatic officials left for Afghanistan in the wake of ever-spreading coronavirus cases. Their departure from the country came a few days after a batch of 75 US diplomats left for Georgia through a chartered flight.

On the other hand, United Kingdom High Commissioner Christian Turner on Saturday last said the latest update on flights will cause further concerns for the British citizens anxious to get home.

In a tweet, Turner said they were in talks with Pakistan about what could be done and working hard to assist the vulnerable.

In this connection, the UK High Commission on Tuesday said that ensuring the return of Brits to the country was their top priority.

https://twitter.com/ukinpakistan/status/1244673203680743425