SKARDU, Aug 13 On the eve of Pakistan Day, hundreds of tourists, military personnel, and locals have been stranded in Skardu due to suspension of the daily PIA flight from Skardu to Islamabad despite clear blue sky.

PIA has offered no reason for the unexpected termination of the lone flight. However, informed sources divulged that the situation arose due to ongoing tension between local administration and airport officials. They added that last week a senior district officer was refused entry onto the plan because airport security officials unwittingly allowed the local official and his guest to drive in his official vehicle to the apron.

PIA flight crew citing SoPs and security procedures objected to official vehicle getting so close to the aircraft as a result the flight take off was delayed for half an hour.

The tension between the two parties have further escalated following an FIR lodged by local officials against a PIA pilot for alleged attempt to transport stakes of deodar wood on a expired permit. Nonetheless, the common travellers, patients and tourists have become the main collateral victims of this nasty tug of war.

The local tour operators and hoteliers have appealed to concerned authorities to press upon parties involved in the controversy to back off in the interest of common people and valued tourists. —Correspondent