40,000 Pakistanis register in UAE to fly back home

The number of Pakistanis who have registered with the Dubai consulate for repatriation reached 40,000 on Wednesday, according to Ahmed Amjad Ali, consul-general of Pakistani in Dubai.

"For online ticket booking, over 40,000 people have registered till now for repatriation. From April 18, PIA will start flights to Pakistan. People need to understand that there is a limited capacity in the aircraft as well as in Pakistan to test and quarantine people. So within these limitations, we will continue to repatriate people from the UAE time and again," Ali said in a video message released on Wednesday.

The consulate has also distributed ration to 8,500 people since the outbreak of Covid-19 and nearly 11,000 people still need support. Majority of them either lost jobs or had their visas expired in the UAE.

"Due to the situation in Dubai and other emirates, there are challenges to deliver the ration. So I request to have patience. There can be delay, but we'll surely reach to you," the consul-general said.

waheedabbas@khaleejtimes.com

Message by H.E. Ahmed Amjad Ali, Consul General of Pakistan to Pakistani Community in Dubai and Northern Emirates on the current situation @SMQureshiPTI @ForeignOfficePk @pid_gov pic.twitter.com/lrYFYPTX0b

- Consulate General of Pakistan, Dubai (@ParepDubai) April 15, 2020