An IndiGo flight from Sharjah to Hyderabad diverted to Pakistan today after the pilot reported a technical defect in the aircraft, the airline has said.

The plane made a precautionary landing in Karachi and all the passengers are safe. Another aircraft will be sent to Karachi to fly the passengers back home to Hyderabad.

"IndiGo flight 6E-1406, operating from Sharjah to Hyderabad was diverted to Karachi. The pilot observed a technical defect. Necessary procedures were followed and as a precaution the aircraft was diverted to Karachi. An additional flight is being sent to Karachi to fly the passengers to Hyderabad," the airline said in a press release.

The pilot of the IndiGo Airbus is reported to have taken the decision to divert to Karachi after he detected a problem in one of the engines of the aircraft.

This is the second Indian commercial airline flight to make an unscheduled landing in Karachi during the fortnight.

Earlier this month, a SpiceJet flight from Delhi to Dubai was also diverted to Karachi after the fuel indicator light in the cockpit malfunctioned.

SpiceJet then flew another plane to Karachi to fly the 138 stranded passengers to Dubai. However, it took several hours before the Pakistan authorities allowed the passengers to resume their journey.