ISLAMABAD – After China, Pakistan International Airlines PIA suspendedinternational flight operations to yet another country.
Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has discontinued its flightoperations for China and Japan for at least three weeks in the wake of thecoronavirus outbreak. All PIA flights to these countries will staysuspended until March 15.
The PIA management made this decision amid reports of increasing casualtiesdue to the novel coronavirus.
So far, the death toll in China has crossed 2,600-mark. Besides, the deadlyvirus has also caused deaths in Iran, Japan, Italy, France, the USA, and inseveral other countries.——————————
While announcing the halt of flight operations on Monday, the airlinespokesperson said that the ban is a precautionary measure. The decision onwhether to resume flights or extend the ban will be taken next week.
PIA flights to Beijing and Tokyo will not depart from today. Travelers ofthese cities have been notified in advance.
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Meanwhile, there are reports of coronavirus outbreak in Iranian city Qom,which has taken at least 15 lives, as per Iranian authorities. However,foreign observers believe that the death toll might have crossed 50 in Qomalone, the largest outside China.——————————
The circumstances have forced Turkey and Pakistan to close their borderswith Iran, halting all cross-border activities.
As per reports, the Balochistan Interior Ministry has asked Pakistanipilgrims to avoid visiting Iran for now. As a result, over a hundredpilgrims were called back to Quetta from the Taftan border.
Moreover, the government has also established a special monitor of theirmovement.
