Pakistan suspends consular services in Dubai for two weeks

DUBAI: Pakistan’s diplomatic mission in Dubai has suspended consular services for two weeks since the government of the emirate has restricted the movement of its residents by asking them to stay at home all the time while it implements its 24-hour sterilization program for the next 14 days.
According to the consulate general spokesperson, Ashique Shaikh, the services will only be available for emergency cases.
The consulate has also advised all Pakistanis not to visit the mission during the restrictions imposed by the authorities in Dubai.
The spokesperson said that all identity card or passport issuance or renewals had been put on hold for two weeks. “This period can also be extended. However, those who need the services urgently can call up the consulate,” he said.
The consulate has also asked all Pakistani nationals who are facing tough financial circumstances to register online for the ongoing ration distribution program. In a tweet, it said: “Keeping in view Dubai Government’s 24-hours sterilization programme and restriction of movements for two weeks, all needy Pakistani nationals in Dubai and Northern Emirates are requested to register online.”
“Since we started the distribution of ration last week, a total of 5,100 families have been given packets containing basic necessities,” the spokesperson told Arab News on Tuesday.
For now, the consulate has partnered with Uber to deliver these packets to people living in Dubai due to the restriction on movement. “We do not want people crowding the consulate so we have taken the services of Uber to do the deliveries in Dubai. But people have to register online for it as well,” Shaikh added.
“The consulate staff are distributing the ration packs in other emirates themselves,” said the spokesperson.
The ration bags include essential food items such as rice, milk, flour, biscuits and oil. They are packed separately for families and individuals who are either stuck in the country due to flight closures or face a financial crunch after being laid off.
The bags are enough to last 15 days for a family.
The Consul General of Pakistan in Dubai, Ahmed Amjad Ali, had underscored the extraordinary nature of circumstances while talking to Arab News earlier.
However, he had also added: “Everything is going very smoothly and we hope to do more home deliveries.”