Govt decides to bring back 10,000 stranded Pakistanis in next 10 days

ISLAMABAD: Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on National Security Moeed Yusuf has said the government plans to bring back more than 10,000 Pakistanis stranded different countries in the next 10 days.

While addressing a press conference Moeed Yusuf said next week Pakistan will try to bring back around 10,000 nationals from 22 countries, mostly from the Gulf States.

The special assistant further said till now 20,000 Pakistanis have been brought back home from 40 countries. He said Pakistani missions are playing a crucial role in helping them. “Those wishing to return need to register with the embassies immediately. 

He said that the government’s focus this week would be on the United States after PIA was permitted to operate flights. “We will also have flights from Britain UK and some African countries as well,” Yousaf added.

Yousaf said that the majority of those who flew back into the country over the last two weeks have tested positive for the COVID-19.

He said the government’s main aim is to stop the spread of the COVID19 and every passenger is needed to undergo a mandatory quarantine period of 48 hours without any exception. 

Moreover, he added, they had spoken to countries in the Middle East from where Pakistanis were returning to have the passengers tested before boarding. “The passengers will be tested again in Pakistan as well,” he added.

Speaking about the new policy introduced by the government, he said that every Pakistani who returns to the country from abroad will instantly undergo a test at the quarantine centre or at the hotel after landing.

He said the process of bringing back Pakistanis will be further accelerated in the days ahead of Eid, added that they will be operating an additional 30 fights.

He added that according to the new policy, provinces have been instructed to conduct the tests of the returning passengers as soon as possible.

He said if the test comes back negative, passengers can self-isolate at home, adding that the increased testing will put a load on the country’s testing facilities, however, it was their priority to ensure people returned home safely.

The Special Assistant also appealed to follow precautionary measures and the SOPs to avoid the spread of the coronavirus.