The process of flying the stranded South Koreans back home started on Wednesday, as a special flight of Qatar Airways airlifted 115 passengers from Islamabad.

The Flight No QR-7512 left for South Korea via Doha was seen off at the airport by the South Korean ambassador.

As many as 19 passengers reached Islamabad from Karachi through the special flight earlier, but two of them, who were diplomats, left for their country’s embassy. 

Meanwhile, 98 more South Koreans boarded the plane at the Islamabad International Airport.

See Also: Omni Air allowed special flights from Pakistan

Earlier, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) had allowed Qatar Airways to airlift South Korean diplomats and nationals from Pakistan through chartered flights.

The Director Air Transport issued a formal circular in this regard on Friday last, saying that three Qatar Airways flights will land in Islamabad. Two South Korean diplomats will also arrive in Islamabad from Doha on those flights.

The CAA move came as the South Korean Embassy in Islamabad wrote a letter to Pakistan Foreign Ministry seeking permission to operate special flights for repatriation of South Korean nationals.

Turkey sends safety gear

On the other hand, a Turkish aircraft carrying personal protective equipment (PPE) for the healthcare workers in Pakistan landed in Islamabad. The items included 20,000 N95 masks and 18,500 safety gowns.

The special flight later returned for Ankara after carrying 133 passengers back to their homes.