PIA announces special flights to bring back Pakistanis from Saudi Arabia.

KARACHI -- The national flag-carrier, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), has announced to initially operate three special flights to bring back all Umrah pilgrims to the country following the latest directives of Saudi Arabian government, media reported on Thursday.

Sources told media that PIA administration has completed special arrangements for the return of iqama holders in Pakistanis and repatriation of the pilgrims from Saudi Arabia.

The PIA spokesperson Abdullah Khan announced that PIA will initially operate three special flights to Saudi Arabia.

According to details, first flight, PK-763/764, will be operated from Islamabad to Jeddah on Sunday while second flight, PK-718/717, will take off from Karachi to Madinah on Saturday and third flight, PK-767/768, from Karachi to Jeddah on the same day.

Abdullah Khan added more flights are also being planned for the transportation of Pakistanis and advised all passengers to immediately contact PIA offices who are willing to travel to Saudi Arabia before ending of 72-hour deadline set by Riyadh.

General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) in its circular sent to all air carriers operation from and to the airports of Saudi Arabia stated, 'A time limit of (72) hours is given to citizen of the Kingdom and current residents holding valid Iqama to return to the Kingdom.'

A hotline has been established at embassies and consulates by Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Earlier in the day, Saudi Arabia has extended flight and travel bans over coronavirus fears to include the European Union and 12 other countries after announcing 24 new cases overnight to bring its total to 45.

Citizens and residents in the affected...