Govt announces resumption of int'l flight operations from June 20.

ISLAMABAD -- While announcing the resumption of all flight operations from June 20, the government on Wednesday said that international passengers seeking to board inbound flights can now purchase tickets directly from the airline instead of booking a flight through the embassy.

Pakistan had suspended international flight operations on March 22 to contain the spread of the coronavirus pandemic in the country. As the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) started operating repatriation flights, non-resident nationals who were looking to return home were directed to book a seat through the embassy or its consulates.

Addressing a press conference on the protocol for those arriving in Pakistan, Adviser to Prime Minister on National Security Dr Moeed Yusuf and Minister of State for Overseas Pakistanis Zulfiqar Bukhari announced that repatriation flights through all carriers will start operating at 25 per cent capacity from June 20.

However, he said that if a passenger does not feel the need to immediately return, should refrain from doing so and instead let someone with high priority board the flight.

The advisers also announced that everybody arriving in Pakistan has to quarantine.

'Thermal scanning will be done at airports and questions will be asked by healthcare experts,'...