WASHINGTON DC: A Special Charter Flight arranged by the US government departed from Washington for Lahore carrying around 150 Pakistani students.
Pakistan students had been in the United States on various US-funded exchange programs including UGRAD, Fulbright, Humphrey, and YES programs.
This is in addition to over 65 Karachi-bound exchange students, who returned Pakistan via Qatar Airways last week.
The Ambassador of Pakistan to the United States Dr. Asad Majeed Khan bid farewell to the students at the Dulles International Airport in Washington DC.
The State Department officials were also present on the occasion.
Ambassador Dr. Asad Majeed Khan thanked the US government, particularly the State Department for arranging the repatriation of students to Pakistan and for taking care of the wellbeing and safety of these young students, particularly during the COVID-19 crisis.
The ambassador also appreciated the patience and resilience of the students while the governments of the United States and Pakistan finalized their travel arrangements.
The charter flight arranged by the US government is in addition to the six PIA special charter flights being operated by the government of Pakistan for the repatriation of Pakistani citizens stranded in the United States.
Saw off 150 Pakistani exchange students leaving for Lahore via US special flight. Grateful to @State_SCA for arranging the flight. Earlier, 65 exchange students had also been repatriated via Qatar Airways flight. Meanwhile, the next PIA charter flight leaves for Khi on 13 May. pic.twitter.com/kpysJCx3tH
— Asad M. Khan (@asadmk17) May 11, 2020
