DUBAI: Hundreds of Pakistanis are stranded in the UAE after Pakistan announced it was suspending all incoming international flights on Saturday for two weeks as part of efforts to curb the import of coronavirus in the country, according to consulate officials.

The Consul General of Pakistan to Dubai, Ahmed Amjad Ali, told Arab News that scores of passengers stranded inside Dubai’s airport terminal were first priority for being sent back home to Pakistan, but that it was still uncertain how many would be able to travel.

“We have a situation here and there are at least a hundred people stuck in the airport terminal who cannot exit the airport, while thousands are outside the airport willing to take the first flight back home,” Ali said.

“Our first priority is to get the next available flight for those inside the airport but we can’t say if all of them will be able to go back or not. We are working out a way to make the flight available as soon as possible,” he said.

Amjad, who has been at the airport since Saturday night, said the stranded passengers are being provided with essential items while they wait for a flight back home.

Meanwhile, Pakistanis on visit visas in the UAE are concerned about extending their stays for at least the two week period with limited funds and with approaching visa expiry dates.

Ahmer Abbas, 30, a 3D generalist from Lahore on a visit visa in the UAE, said he was scheduled to return home on Monday. 

“I knew the UAE had locked down its airspace for non-nationals but I did not expect Pakistan to do this. Though I can renew my visit visa so that I don’t have to stay here illegally, I came with limited funds and am now thinking about how to manage my residence and other essentials for an indefinite stay,” he said.

In the UAE, the Federal Authority for Citizenship and Identity has directed all visit visa holders to get their visa status changed without having to exit the country by visiting travel agents.

Jassim Khan, 28, a sales manager from Karachi whose visa expires on April 1, said he was scrambling to find guidance on how to legalize his stay in the UAE.

“I’m worried because my work is being affected and I can’t go back to Karachi. A relief is that the airline has not charged extra to change the travel date which I have tentatively kept for two weeks later,” he said.

Abbas Raza Dar, senior manager UAE for AirBlue said the airline’s weekly 47 flights to Pakistan had all been canceled since the notification was issued by Islamabad.

“The notification is for two weeks and could be extended since the situation is changing,” Dar told Arab News.

He added the airline was not charging any fees to change travel dates for passengers. 

“A full refund is being given to those who ask and we are also changing the dates for other passengers who ask for it,” he added.

On its website, Emirates Airlines also announced the cancelation of its weekly 58 flights to Pakistan.

Following UAE’s announcement on Tuesday it was suspending the entry of all non-citizens, even those with valid resident visas, the families of UAE-based Pakistani expats have said they are concerned for their loved ones now stranded in Pakistan. 

“My husband is in Pakistan for business and I am here with the children. Now he cannot come back and we don’t know until when,” said Amina Butt, a Dubai-based teacher. 

“I am concerned because the closure could be longer and now Pakistan has also closed its airspace,” she said. “I know it is being done as a preventive measure which is good for all of us, but even then there is concern,” she said. 

A spokesperson for the Pakistan Consulate in Dubai said they had set up hotlines and social media channels to guide people on whatever kind of help they needed.

“We have been getting several calls-- mostly travel related and visa related issues, and we are offering advice as per the situation. Others are concerned about collection of their NICs for which we are encouraging people to apply online and limit their visit to the consulate,” the spokesperson said.