ISLAMABAD: In another unfortunate incident, a Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight departed from Jeddah airport in Saudia Arabia leaving approximately 50 passengers on April 14.
As per sources, these stranded passengers were supposed to arrive in Islamabad yesterday from Jeddah. The stranded passengers now find themselves facing considerable difficulties as they await assistance.
More than fifty Pakistani passengers, mostly Umrah pilgrims faced trouble in Saudi Arabia after PIA sent a small plane to the airport on April 14 in the morning, which took off with fewer passengers. Reports suggest that the main reason was the limited capacity of the aircraft, resulting in insufficient space for all travelers.
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Samina Syed, a passenger from Rawalpindi, told Pakistani journalist that her online flight was confirmed on April 14 from Jeddah to Islamabad. However, they were shifted back to the hotel from the airport. She said that 50 passengers including him were stuck in dire straits because they had run out of money and the inflation was so high that they were getting only half a plate of curry worth 12 riyals without bread.
بریکنگ نیوز
پی آئی اے نے سعودیہ (جدہ) میں پاکستانی عمرہ زائرین کو مصیبت میں ڈال دیا
پچاس سے زائد پاکستانی مسافروں کی 14 اپریل صبع کی جدہ سے اسلام آباد روانگی تھی مگر PIA نے ائیرپورٹ پر چھوٹا طیارہ بجھوا دیا جو کم مسافروں کو لے کر اڑان بھر گیا pic.twitter.com/KBSvpp8HH1
— Israr Ahmed Rajpoot (@ia_rajpoot) April 14, 2024
He said that many other passengers have been stuck in this hotel for six days and are begging for help while PIA is nowhere to be seen. She further added that the hotel management had taken their passports.
Calling for urgent intervention from higher authorities, stranded passengers have appealed to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for help.
Responding to queries, the PIA spokesperson confirmed the situation, stating that the affected passengers have been relocated to a nearby hotel for the time being. The spokesperson assured that prompt action has been taken and a special flight will bring back all the stranded passengers to Islamabad today.