Overview
- Flight PK-859 from Lahore to Jeddah landed safely at Karachi after the cockpit windshield cracked shortly after departure.
- All 344 passengers were reported safe, with many moved to hotels as the airline arranged onward travel.
- Initial reports cited a bird strike, the Pakistan Airports Authority rejected that account, and PIA later said no bird strike was reported and suggested wind shear as a possible factor.
- The Society of Aircraft Engineers of Pakistan alleged negligence in timely component replacement, an assertion the airline has not confirmed.
- Technical teams began inspection and repairs, with work expected to take about 12 hours before the aircraft can continue to Jeddah or be substituted.