*ISLAMABAD: **PIA Pilots taken into the forcible quarantine period by Sindhgovernment.*
The Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has suspended its flightoperations from Karachi in view of the Sindh government’s “forcible”quarantining of its pilots over fear that they might be coronaviruscarriers.
On Saturday, PIA operated two special flights carrying nearly 600 Britishpassengers to Manchester and London.
The flights left Pakistan as pressure built on British authorities torepatriate vulnerable citizens that were stuck in Pakistan as thegovernment had banned international commercial flights for the period ofMarch 21 to April 4.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the national flag carrier clarified itsviews on quarantining its aviation staff in Karachi.
Read Top Stories
“The PIA is strictly abiding by the instructions issued by the government,”its spokesperson said.
“The instructions include measures related to disinfecting the airplane aswell as the crew’s health and safety,” the spokesperson added, noting thatthe federal government’s instructions were being followed at all airportsin the country.
Referring to the quarantining of PIA pilots, he said that the incident thattook place at Karachi airport was “contrary to the directives issued by theGovernment of Pakistan for aviation staff” and added that all the officialsconcerned were informed three hours prior the plane returned from London.
