Coronavirus: 121 bodies repatriated to Pakistan on special flights

Dubai - All the repatriated mortal remains were of the people died of non-Covid reasons.

Around 121 bodies of Pakistani expatriates have been repatriated by the country's consulate in Dubai on special flights over the past 40 days, said Ahmed Amjad Ali, Consul-General of Pakistan in Dubai.

All the repatriated mortal remains were of the people died of non-Covid reasons. Because of safety and precautionary measures, repatriation of people died of Covid-19 are not permitted to be repatriated. The final rites of the people who die of the pandemic are performed within the UAE.
"There might be four or five more bodies pending for repatriation from Dubai to Pakistan. This is an ongoing process and we repatriate as many bodies as possible on every next available flight," said Ali.
He noted that around 12,000 people have been repatriated from the UAE through special flights and around 8,000 of them were flown by 40 flights by Pakistan International Airlines.
Beware of fraudsters
Ali stressed that the repatriation process from Dubai will continue and urged Pakistani nationals in Dubai and Northern Emirates to avoid making online payments for special PIA flights being operated from Dubai airport.
"We are receiving complaints of people claiming to be representing Pakistan consulate and selling tickets. They ask people for online payments. These are fraudsters and people must not make online payment to them," the consul-general warned in a video message.
He said the consulate staff will contact people and inform them where to collect the tickets in Dubai. The price will be mentioned on the ticket which has been approved by the government of Pakistan.

waheedabbas@khaleejtimes.com

• Pakistan