PIA evacuates IMF staff from Afghanistan

National-flag carrier operates two flights to bring back 350 people

ISLAMABD:

The Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) airlifted 350 more people from Kabul to Islamabad on Friday, as part of its massive evacuation efforts to bring back those, wishing to leave Afghanistan after the takeover by the Taliban.

The passengers ferried by the national-flag carrier with the support of the Pakistan embassy and local authorities, included around 250 staff members of the World Bank. Others included foreigners and local Afghans attached with international organisations.

PIA Chief Operating Officer (CEO) Air Marshal Arshad Malik himself travelled to Kabul on one of the two PIA flights from Islamabad to encourage and motivate the PIA crew, who are on the forefront of the humanitarian mission.

And to the pleasant surprise of the crew, the Director General of the Afghan Civil Aviation Authority came on the radio and welcomed the aircraft and the PIA chief when it entered the Afghanistan’s airspace.

After landing at the Kabul airport, the PIA CEO, who was the first passenger to disembark the aircraft, was greeted by the Afghan Civil Aviation Authority director general, and other airport officials besides Pakistan's Ambassador to Afghanistan Mansoor Ahmed Khan.

The Pakistan embassy in Kabul had made special arrangements to safely transport the passengers from the embassy compound to the airport and facilitate them in the boarding on the aircraft, Ambassador Mansoor Khan said.

He added that the embassy would continue to facilitate all those who wish to travel to Pakistan or use the route for transit. “The embassy staff are working round-the-clock to facilitate the people, particularly the staff of the international agencies, working in Afghanistan.

Pakistan is facilitating diplomatic staff and other foreigners in Kabul in leaving the country on the directive of prime minister. The government is also working on helping the international journalists in the evacuation process.

On Friday, Prime Minister Imran received a briefing on the steps taken by the information ministry regarding the evacuation of foreign journalists from Afghanistan in view of the takeover of the war-torn country by the Taliban.

Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry informed the prime minister that a special cell had been set up at the ministry to facilitate journalists by ensuring prompt processing of their visa applications. Imran appreciated the initiatives taken by the information ministry

The prime minister also praised the External Publicity Wing for facilitating the foreign journalist community. He said that promoting impartial, independent and responsible journalism in the country was a top priority of his government.