Rawalpindi (Staff Report/Agencies): Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has announced to temporarily suspend flight operations to and from Qatar in an attempt to prevent spread of coronavirus.
PIA spokesman Abdullah Hafeez said in a press release that the national carrier had suspended its flight operation to and from Qatar till March 31.
On Monday, Qatar announced to temporarily suspend the entry of passengers from 14 countries due to concerns over coronavirus epidemic.
The ban covers Pakistan, Bangladesh, China, Egypt, India, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Nepal, the Philippines, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Syria and Thailand.
According to a statement from Pakistani embassy in Doha, the ban applies to visit visas, family visas, and iqama holders uniformly.
The statement added the embassy was in contact with Qatar’s foreign office and will apprise Pakistani nationals about any development. The embassy also advised passengers to avoid travel from Pakistan to Qatar, adding that a new announcement from the Qatari government should be awaited.
