The impacted pilgrims said they had arrived at the airport around 4 a.m., but their aircraft to Islamabad was scheduled to depart at 9 a.m., leaving them behind in the capital of Iraq.
The trapped travelers vented their frustration, saying they have no idea when or how they will get back home and that their passports are nowhere to be found.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi have received appeals from pilgrims pleading with the government to guarantee their prompt return via emergency planes.
