Amid Coronavirus Pandemic, Pakistan Extends Suspension Of Domestic, International Flights Till 21 April

The Pakistan government has extended the suspension of domestic and international flight operations in the country until 21 April in a bid to contain the coronavirus spread, said a notification issued by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

"As per the decision of the government of Pakistan, the suspension of International and Domestic Flight Operations as effected earlier has been extended up to Tuesday, April 21, 11.59 p.m.," The Express Tribune quoted the notification as saying on Thursday.

In its last notification, the CAA had said that diplomatic, special/cargo flights and flights of the national carrier to/from Pakistan holding special approval from the competent authority for transporting stranded passengers would be exempted from the ban.

The decision comes as Pakistan has registered a total of 4,474 confirmed coronavirus cases with 65 fatalities.

Punjab has the highest number of coronavirus cases in Pakistan with the provincial tally at 2,224, Dawn reported citing official data. Nearly half of the cases in the country are from Punjab.

(With inputs from IANS)