Pakistani embassies abroad told to help Pakistanis stuck at airports

DUBAI, Mar 21 (DNA): Dozens of Pakistanis are stuck at the Abu Dhabi and
Dubai airports after the government of Pakistan announced that it is
suspending all international flights to Pakistan till April 4.

Pakistan’s deputy consul-general in Dubai has confirmed that there are
at least 25 Pakistanis stuck at a terminal at Dubai airport.

The parents of Aqsa Mansoor, a private television channel’s team member,
are among them. She said that her parents were scheduled to return to
Pakistan on March 21 but Emirates cancelled their flight after the
country suspended all international flights to Pakistan.

“They have been told by the immigration office in Dubai that it’s not
their fault if Pakistan is closing flights,” she said.

Pakistan’s deputy consul-general in Dubai said the embassy has requested
the UAE government to extend the visas of Pakistani travelers for two
weeks but they have yet to receive a response.

“We are setting up a help desk at the airports to facilitate the
passengers,” he said.

Aisha Farooqui, the spokesperson for Pakistan’s Foreign Office has said
that her office has issued instructions to the embassies and missions to
facilitate the Pakistanis abroad. The numbers of focal persons are on
the FO’s website, she added.

Sayed Zulfikar Bukhari, the special assistant to the prime minister for
overseas Pakistanis, said that the government is aware of the issue and
embassies will contact local authorities to help Pakistanis abroad. DNA