Over 8,500 Pakistanis in the UAE want first flight home

DUBAI: Over 8,500 Pakistanis in the UAE have registered with the Pakistan Consulate in Dubai to travel back home on priority, Pakistan’s Consul General to the UAE told Arab News on Sunday. 
On April 3, the consulate asked Pakistani citizens stranded in the UAE to fill out a form specifying their reasons for traveling back home on priority. The move came after the UAE suspended all incoming and outgoing flights last month to contain the spread of Covid-19.
Ahmed Amjad Ali, Consul General of Pakistan to the UAE, said thousands of people had registered their interest in only two days time.
“We are likely to get a couple of flights but that too is not confirmed yet,” he said and added that priority was being given to emergency cases, including medical cases, repatriation of dead bodies, people whose visit visas have expired or are close to expiry, as well as those who do not have accommodation in Dubai.
“We have also received interest from people wanting to go on annual leave but that will not be a priority at this point,” he said.
He added people stranded in the country after March 21 and medical cases would remain top of the priority list.
Rana Asif Nadeem who had traveled to the UAE while job hunting said he had registered with the consulate to return to Pakistan as soon as possible. 
“I came to Dubai on a visit but everything is closed now and it appears difficult that I’ll find a job, so I want to go back now,” he said.
A number of citizens took to social media to voice their concerns, with some complaining of being unable to afford housing and essentials. 
“We don’t have money to go back, how will I book the ticket? Even now I have no food and I drive a taxi. Please send me back home,” posted Pakistani Twitter user Waqar Khattak.