Over 195 stranded Pakistanis in India to be repatriated on Sept 3

ISLAMABAD: As many as 200 Pakistanis stranded in India due to the suspension of train service in both the countries will return home on September 3.

These Pakistanis were stranded on the other side of the border in Gujrat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, New Delhi and Rajasthan.

Train service between Pakistan and India was suspended on August 15 to limit the spread of COVID-19.

According to sources, Pakistan will repatriate 200 of its nationals from India following the efforts of the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi. The repatriation will take place via the Attari-Wagah Border.

The border will be specially opened for the return of the stranded Pakistanis. The Pakistani embassy has provided a list of its citizens to the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs.

Earlier, the Attari-Wagah border was opened for three days to repatriate stranded Indians in Pakistan.

On May 27, the Indian government had facilitated the return of 179 Pakistanis to their country through the land border. They were stranded in various states of India due to the COVID-19 lockdown.

After restrictions were partially lifted, 400 Pakistanis again returned home from the Wagah border.

On May 28, 300 Indian nationals returned to their country after both the countries eased lockdown restrictions during the pandemic.