ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s consulate in Jeddah has announced to scale down its routine consular services from Wednesday until March 31, according to an official handout released on Tuesday.
The consulate says the step comes as part of preventive measures undertaken to protect citizens in the wake of virus outbreak.
“However, cases warranting immediate attention would continue to be entertained as per routine practice,” the statement added.
Meanwhile, Pakistan foreign ministry has suspended all walk-in consular services except the attestation of power of attorney in order to take necessary precautions to deal with the rising threat of COVID-19, foreign office spokeswoman Aisha Farooqi said on Tuesday.
She said that consular services would remain suspended from March 18 till April 3 after which the decision will be reviewed.
However, the facility of the attestation of documents would continue through courier companies, she added.
The ministry has also established a special cell for coordination on COVID-19 to liaise with the diplomatic corps in Pakistan as well as with Pakistan’s missions abroad, the official said.
Pakistan has seen sharp rise in coronavirus cases this week as national tally reached 240 on Tuesday.
