RAWALPINDI: In order to facilitate Pakistanis stranded at Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Doha airports, the government has granted permission to Fly Dubai and Qatar Airways to operate special flights, which are expected to land at Islamabad International Airport (IIAP) early on Tuesday morning.

A spokesman for the Aviation Division said in order to facilitate the stranded passengers at Abu Dhabi and Dubai airports, the government had decided to allow operation of one flight by Fly Dubai to Islamabad.

He said Fly Dubai’s flight carrying about 150 passengers was expected to land at IIAP at 2.10am. These passengers were in transit at Abu Dhabi and Dubai airports.

Likewise, the government has granted special permission to Qatar Airways to operate a flight for Islam­abad to bring back stranded passengers at Doha Airport.

The authorities said Qatar Airways will operate a special flight to Islamabad with 72 Pakistani passengers on board. These passengers were in transit at Doha airport.

The special flight is expected to arrive at IIAP at 1.40am on Tuesday.

All the passengers arriving from Dubai and Doha will be subjected to strict health screening on their arrival in compliance with directives issued by the ministry of health.

A Foreign Office spokesperson said the Pakistan embassy in Doha had made efforts to ensure the early return of Pakistanis stranded at Doha airport.

Published in Dawn, March 24th, 2020