Repatriating stranded Pakistanis

Amid the global pandemic, many Pakistani citizens have expressed willingness to return back due to the worsening health and economic conditions in the countries they settled in. The government is now faced with the gargantuan task to repatriate these stranded citizens.

According to Special Assistant on National Security Moeed Yusuf, there are 100,000 Pakistanis stranded in 88 countries, with a majority in Saudi Arabia and UAE, who want to return home. The government has already repatriated 15,000 Pakistanis from 38 countries but several others need to be brought back. Out of the remaining, over 70,000 are from Saudi Arabia.

Global travel has plunged during the pandemic as airlines have suspended flights while many countries have closed airports. The airfares on the remaining airlines are thrice or four times higher and travelers are compelled to pay exorbitant rates. Many are facing an emergency situation after job losses or expired visas, while countries such as UAE has warned to review labour ties if they are not returned.

The government is now scrambling to return its citizens from countries around the world by operating special flights. The US, UAE and Saudi Arabia have already given permission to operate special flights. In fact, the PIA has been allowed to operate direct flights to the US for the first time. The coronavirus crisis has created a situation that requires urgent air services to return stranded citizens in other countries.

This comes with several risks and challenges. Pakistan does not have access to many of the 88 countries where its citizens are based and alternative arrangements have to be made to bring them. Many of them may not be stranded but could be taking advantage of the situation to return home.

Another major risk is that these citizens are returning with the COVID-19 virus. Yusuf himself revealed that around twelve percent of the returning citizens tested positive. This is a significantly high and could nullify lockdown efforts aimed to contain the pandemic. This will require more quarantine facilities and could increase pressure of struggling health facilities.

It is unlikely that these Pakistan citizens will return to their countries anytime soon and have lost their jobs. They will now require employment and other facilities in Pakistan which will burden the existing resources. There could also be a decline in remittances in the coming years.

These expatriates should avoid unnecessary travel and only return in cases of genuine emergency. The government should understand their plight and bring back the stranded Pakistanis in a phased manner.