Pakistanis stranded at Baghdad airport return

Pakistani pilgrims, who had been stranded at Baghdad airport for the last four days, returned to the country on Saturday after the Pakistani embassy in Iraq arranged tickets for them.

Foreign Office Spokesperson Dr Mohammad Faisal confirmed the news on Twitter and said that an inquiry has been initiated against the tour operator whose inefficiency led to the Pakistani pilgrims being stranded.

“Good news — our Embassy in Iraq has successfully managed to send all our stranded Zaireen to Pakistan. Welcome home. Inquiry being initiated against the tour operator whose inefficiency led to the problem for Pakistanis – kudos to Amb Sajid Bilal and his team,” Dr Faisal tweeted.

Good news – Our Embassy in Iraq has successfully managed to send all our stranded Zaireen to Pakistan. Welcome home. Inquiry being initiated against the tour operator whose inefficiency led to the problem for Pakistanis – kudos to Amb Sajid Bilal and his team.

— Dr Mohammad Faisal (@DrMFaisal) November 10, 2018

The pilgrims left for Baghdad at 11 am from foreign airline EK-942 to Dubai and reached Karachi through flight EK-600, according to sources.

Over 100 Pakistani pilgrims had been stranded at the Iraqi capital city’s airport after their tour head vanished with their tickets owing to which they missed their flight.

Appealing to the government for assistance, the pilgrims had said they did not have money for food or to buy return tickets.

“We are facing difficulties as Shah Khurasan travel agent did not give us our tickets or passports on time,” the pilgrims had said.