ISLAMABAD: Three PIA flights with 530 Pakistanis on board returned from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on June 02, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in statement.
“In their efforts, the Embassy of Pakistan in Riyadh and Consulate General of Pakistan in Jeddah have so far facilitated the repatriation of more than 4,000 Pakistanis, including 480 Umrah Zaireen [pilgrims] and 195 detainees,” the statement read.
“The Missions are also extending assistance including provision of ration bags to the needy Pakistanis in the Kingdom and coordinating special flights with PIA to facilitate repatriation of stranded Pakistanis,” it continued.
Pakistan’s diplomats are in contact with the country’s diaspora in Saudi Arabia, said the official handout, and are doing their best to assist its members within the lockdown constraints.
The ministry also informed that the number of special flights to Saudi Arabia had been increased to expedite the repatriation process.
“As regards expired Pakistanis,” the official handout added, “the Missions have extended assistance in local burial in 40 cases. While the mortal remains of 90 have been repatriated to Pakistan thus far, arrangements are in hand to facilitate the return of those remaining.”
“In line with the directives of the Prime Minister for early repatriation of stranded Pakistanis, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue its efforts till the repatriation of all such Pakistanis. In this regard, the Missions are under special instructions to complete the repatriation process at the earliest possible in close liaison with the local Saudi authorities, PIA and relevant authorities in Pakistan,” the statement concluded.
