Pak students in Wuhan seek govt help for immediate evacuation

WUHAN: A group of Pakistani students has demanded that the government make efforts to rescue them from the coronavirus-hit Chinese city of Wuhan, according to a video uploaded on social media.

Wuhan has been under a virtual lockdown for days, with transport suspended and citizens told to stay home as the death toll from the viral epidemic that originated in the city soared to 80.

New infections are being reported as major countries step up efforts to evacuate their citizens from Wuhan. The United States, Germany and France are among several countries planning to take such measures.

Hafsah Tayab, one of the students stuck in the city of Wuhan, spoke to Geo News and confirmed that other countries are planning to get their citizens out of the city through airplanes.

"Embassies of other countries (excluding Pakistan) are rescuing their citizens. There are over 500 Pakistani students in Wuhan. If even one of them gets affected, the others will be in danger,” she warned.

“There is a shortage of essentials and if this situation persists, we will run out of food very soon,” Hafsah Tayab said in the video message, adding that she and her fellow students have been confined to the city.

“We plead that the authorities take notice of our situation on a humanitarian basis and do something about it. We will be grateful to you all our lives,” another student can be heard saying in the video.

According to a student from the Wuhan University of Science and Technology, there are about 200 Pakistani students in the institute, and a total of 2,000 in other universities of the city.

“A few days ago, Pakistani students stuck in Wuhan were very scared. However, the Pakistani embassy in Beijing has made efforts to provide us with what we need,” Hafsah Tayab said while speaking to Geo. “The Pakistani authorities have assured us that they will get us out of the city like other countries,” she added.

The Foreign Office (FO) has confirmed that efforts are being made to help out the students.

“The officials are in constant touch with Chinese authorities in order to make necessary arrangements for Pakistanis struck in affected areas, and a special briefing for all the embassies in Beijing has been scheduled,” FO Spokesperson Aaisha Forooqui said.

Meanwhile, Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Yao Jing said that since the outbreak of the coronavirus in Wuhan, the Chinese and Pakistani governments are working closely to manage the situation.

He said that more than 500 students and citizens of Pakistan in Wuhan are safe and sound. “They are well attended and looked after by the local government of the province as well as the central government. Pakistani Embassy Beijing is also following the situation and providing whatever assistance to the Pakistani students and citizens in Wuhan,” he said.

Right now, he said, the Chinese and Pakistani governments are in close coordination to extend all the due and necessary assistance for their life, study and stay in China.

“We are also following the Chinese community in Pakistan. We have found three suspicious cases but there is no confirmed case of this virus in Pakistan. I appreciate the Pakistani government, in particular the Ministry of Health, monitoring the situation very closely,” said the ambassador.

Yao Jing said both the governments are exchanging and sharing information regarding possible medical assistance and medial preparations.

“I believe with the understanding and support of the Pakistani nation, the Chinese government and people will have the confidence, determination to overcome this temporary difficulty. And we will have the normal life very soon,” he said. ­