Three hundred and fifty-eight Pakistani pilgrims who were earlier stranded in Iraq due to flights issues returned to the country on Saturday with more to follow, according to a spokesperson for the Civil Aviation Authority.
Media footage showed pilgrims arriving at Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport. CAA spokesperson Saifullah told mediathat an Iraqi Airways flight arrived around 6am with 358 pilgrims.
Pakistani pilgrims had visited Iraq to attend the Chelum commemoration — also known as Arbaeen — which marks the 40th day of mourning for Imam Husain, the grandson of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
In a press release issued late on Friday night, the FO said 654 Pakistani pilgrims were stranded at the Baghdad airport “because of technical fault with two aircrafts of Iraq Airways”.
“The embassy has provided meals and facilitated their temporary stay in Baghdad.”
Buses carrying Pakistani pilgrims have seen multiple accidents in Iran and Pakistan in the past weeks, resulting in at least 42 deaths.
