Special PIA aircraft to bring PM, camp office back to Pakistan

Nawaz Sharif is set to return to Pakistan on July 9 after his elongated treatment in England

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) confirmed on Friday a special aircraft is being sent to London for Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's return to Pakistan.

"Due to the premier's health issues, PM Office had partly been shifted to London, where a camp office had been set up. Now that the prime minister has recovered after his surgery and is allowed to travel, the whole Camp Office has to be shifted back to Pakistan," the statement read.



The statement further explained that since there were not enough seats available on a regular PIA flight, "the only option was to depute a dedicated aircraft", in order to accommodate the entire camp.

After PM's recovery whole camp office is 2 b shifted frm London 2 Pak. That's y PIA has deputed a dedicated aircraft pic.twitter.com/kkG0XjQHiz

— Cultural Maverick (@CulturalMaverik) July 8, 2016

PM Nawaz has been in London since the end of May recuperating from an open-heart surgery. He is set to return to Pakistan on July 9 after his elongated treatment in England.

Earlier, premier's immediate family members also flew to London to celebrate Eidul Fitr with him. Over the past few years, Nawaz has consistently spent the last 10 days of Ramazan away from home; in Saudi Arabia.



Separately, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi telephoned his counterpart PM Nawaz on Wednesday, the occasion of Eid, to wish him a speedy recovery from surgery, a sign the two men remain in touch, despite fraught diplomatic relations.

Meanwhile, the PIA clarified there will not be any significant delay in the schedule due to the premier’s special flight.

According to the spokesperson, alternate arrangements have been made in this regard.

‘Have some shame Nawaz Sharif’

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman lambasted the rulers for hiring the aircraft to bring the PM back to the country.

“Do you know how much a 777 aircraft flying to London to bring bank emperor Nawaz Sharif will cost this nation,” Imran asked before chanting “have some shame Nawaz Sharif.”

“We will go to the court on Monday and demand action on the aircraft being sent to London to bring back the premier and his family,” Imran said while addressing his supporters in Punjab’s Pasrur city.