Bad weather forces over 10 flights to be rescheduled

KARACHI: Over 10 domestic and international flights of the Pakistan International Airlines are faced with delays or cancellations on Saturday.

According to airport officials, the decision to reschedule certain flights was taken due to unfavourable weather conditions.

Some of the flights that will not land on time include PK-650 that was bound for Islamabad from Lahore, PK-651 that was bound for Lahore from Islamabad, and two-way Sukkur flights PK-536 and PK-537.

Two Multan-bound flights that were to depart from Karachi were cancelled, a spokesperson of the national carrier said.

Rahim Yar Khan-bound flights PK-580 and PK-581 that were to take off from Lahore were also cancelled.

Two international flights, PK-718 flying from Madina to Faisalabad and PK-206 departing from Kuwait for Lahore, were rerouted to Karachi, a PIA spokesperson said.

Dense foggy conditions are expected in plain areas of Punjab in the next twenty-four hours. Rain and thunderstorm with snowfall over the hills are expected at scattered places in some parts of Balochistan and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas. 

According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department, a continental air is prevailing over most parts of the country. A strong westerly wave is expected to enter Balochistan on Sunday and is likely to grip upper and central parts of the country on Monday and Tuesday.

Passengers stranded at Lahore Airport as smog delays 70 flights

The authorities have recommended the passengers to inquire about their flight schedule before leaving home for the airport.

Hundreds of passengers on Friday were stranded at the Allama Iqbal International Airport as nearly 70 international and domestic flights were grounded due to heavy smog.

Pictures of the airport showed long queues of passengers at the boarding and immigration counters.

It's been over a week since Lahore’s skyline has been shrouded in toxic smog, reducing visibility and prompting health concerns amongst the citizens.

The opaque haze first became most visible on October 30 in Pakistan’s second-largest city.

The low visibility has also resulted in accidents, killing one person, to date, and injuring several others.