ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is all set to welcome nearly 4,000 ‘Afghans and foreigners’ after the country accepted requests made by the United States and NATO to provide assistance in evacuations from war-torn Afghanistan.
According to details, around 3,000 to 4,000 Afghan citizens, who supported the US and allied forces during their war with the Taliban, would be given Pakistan’s visa and brought to Karachi before their departure to the US after a month.
Meanwhile, the Karachi administration has begun making accommodation arrangements for the evacuees, according to a notification issued by commissioner’s office. The arrangements for evacuees will be made in the vicinity of the Jinnah International Airport.
In a notification, the office of the Karachi commissioner said at least 2,000 people were expected to arrive in Karachi in the next three to four days, adding that they would stay in the provincial capital “for the next few days”.
“The Deputy Commissioner Malir is requested to make adequate arrangements on emergency basis in the vicinity of the Jinnah International Airport, Karachi for the boarding, lodging, transport, and security of Afghan nationals and foreigners arriving at Karachi airport for transit purposes in coordination with Provincial Disaster Management Authority and law enforcing agencies,” the notification read.
Two hotels and marquees surrounding the Karachi airport were identified by the administration for hosting people coming from Afghanistan. “The passengers availing the facility at identified hotels shall themselves bear all the expenses of their stay at the hotels,” the administration added.
The commissioner’s office also asked the Federal Investigation Agency, provincial health department and power utility K-Electric to make necessary arrangements in coordination with Malir deputy commissioner to facilitate the process.
In Rawalpindi, the district administration has issued orders to vacate hotels and marquees and not take more bookings to accommodate the Afghan people and diplomats. Orders have been given to not book 148 hotels, motels and hostels for at least the next three weeks.
