KARACHI: On the instructions of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has decided to operate special flights to Libya to bring back Pakistanis stranded in the North African country.

The first Boeing 747 relief flight arrived today at Lahore airport at 12:15 pm carrying 500 stranded Pakistanis from strife-torn Libya.

On their arrival at Lahore, airport officials welcomed the passengers on their safe return.

Stranded Pakistanis thanked the prime minister for his concern in bringing them back to Pakistan and also appreciated PIA for operating the flight in a war zone.

PIA spokesperson said that more flights to Libya will be operated on the instructions of the government.

The Pakistani embassy in Libya has also been making hectic efforts to repatriate Pakistan nationals in Libya at the earliest.

A crisis management cell has also been established at the ministry of foreign affairs to monitor the evolving security situation in Libya and to coordinate efforts for evacuation of Pakistanis.