UK announces nine more charter flights from Pakistan for stranded nationals

• Almost 5,000 British travelers in Pakistan are to be brought home to the UK from a further nine Government-chartered flights.

The United Kingdom has announced nine more charter flights from Pakistan to bring back thousands of its stranded nationals.

These will include the first UK charter flight from Karachi, which will depart on 30 April, in addition to further departures from Islamabad and Lahore, informed British High Commission in a statement.

Almost 5,000 British travelers in Pakistan are to be brought home to the UK from a further nine Government-chartered flights. Around 2,500 people have already booked on to the ten Government charter flights that are taking place between April 21-27. This second phase of flights will carry more than 2,250 travelers.

The new flights are as follows:?

30 April: Karachi to London, Islamabad to Manchester

1 May: Lahore to London, Islamabad to Manchester

2 May: Islamabad to Manchester, Lahore to Manchester

4 May: Islamabad to London

5 May: Lahore to Manchester, Islamabad to Manchester

There has been a huge demand for these flights, with seats for Lahore and Islamabad now being allocated to those already registered via the Government’s online booking website - CTM.

“With commercial flights back from Pakistan scaled back at the moment, we have chartered a further nine more flights to help get stranded British travelers home,” said Foreign Secretary, Dominic Raab.

FCO Minister of State for South Asia and the Commonwealth, Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon, said:?? “Thousands more British nationals in Pakistan will now be able to fly home following the announcement of these nine extra flights, which include our first from Karachi. They will join more than 10,500 people who will have already flown home from Pakistan on commercial options and more than 2,500 on charter flights.

“This remains a hugely challenging logistical operation. I am grateful for the cooperation of the Pakistani authorities, the patience of the British people we are working to help, and the hard work of those making it happen,” he added.