Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has revised several flight paths to Gulf and European destinations in response to escalating regional tensions following Israeli airstrikes on Iran.
A PIA spokesperson confirmed that flights heading to Saudi Arabia, Qatar (Doha), Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates will now be rerouted through Omani airspace. This move is a precautionary measure aimed at ensuring the safety of passengers and crew.
Routes for PIA flights to Toronto and Paris have also been adjusted, taking into account new airspace restrictions and ongoing security concerns in the region.
“The safety of our passengers is our top priority. We are actively monitoring the situation and have implemented all necessary steps to maintain safe and uninterrupted operations,” the spokesperson stated.
These adjustments follow increased military activity and growing airspace risks across the Middle East.
Earlier on Friday, Israel launched a major offensive on Iran, targeting key nuclear and military installations. Among the high-profile casualties were:
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Hossein Salami, Commander-in-Chief of the IRGC
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Gholamali Rashid, Senior Military Commander
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Mohammad Bagheri, Chief of Staff of Iran’s Armed Forces
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Fereydoon Abbasi, Former Atomic Energy Head
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Mohammad Mahdi Tehranchi, Nuclear Scientist
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Abdolhamid Minouchehr, Ahmadreza Zolfaghari, Amirhossein Feqhi, and Motalleblizadeh – all nuclear scientists
Israel struck at least six military sites near Tehran, including the sensitive Parchin facility, according to foreign media reports. Explosions were also reported at Iran’s Natanz uranium enrichment site.
Now Israel has launched a new wave of airstrikes deep into Iranian territory, targeting important military assets in the northwestern city of Tabriz and the southern city of Shiraz, according to Iranian media reports.
Tasnim News Agency claimed that Tabriz was attacked late Friday, with early reports indicating that an airport and surrounding air bases were among the targets. Simultaneously, allegations circulated that the Israeli Air Force had targeted a missile production plant in Shiraz.
However, Iranian authorities have yet to issue a full statement. Local emergency services have been deployed, and flights in and out of Tabriz International Airport have reportedly been suspended.
