Saudi Arabia to lift the ban on direct flights from Pakistan: says Minister

RAWALPINDI: Federal Minister for Information Fawad Chaudhry on Thurs­day blazoned that Saudi Arabia had decided to allow direct breakouts from Pakistan from December 1 after lifting a ban.

In a tweet, Mr. Chaudhry said the Saudi directive would come effectively from Wednesday.

According to reports in the media, Saudi authorities have decided to withdraw a ban on breakouts from six countries — Pakistan, India, Indonesia, Egypt, Bra­­zil, and Vietnam — and passengers from these countries will no longer be needed to suffer a 14- day counterblockade in a third country.

Saudi Arabia had issued temporary restric­tions on trippers from the six countries who hadn’t entered two boluses of Covid-19 vaccines in the area.

A directive, issued by the Saudi Arabian General Authority of Civil Aviation to all airlines operating in the area’s airfields, said “ Allowing direct entry to the area from the Republic of Indonesia, Islamic Republic of Pakis­tan, Federal Republic of Brazil, Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Arab Republic of Egypt, (and) India, without the need to stay 14 days outside these countries before entering the area.

“ Institutional counterblockade procedures must be applied for a period of 05 days, anyhow of passengers’ immunization status outside the area, with the continued operation of exceptions issued regarding some groups in this regard.”

A spokesperson for PIA said anyone interested in traveling to the area should communicate with the airline for a ticket.

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