ABU DHABI: The Pakistani Consul General in Dubai said on Wednesday that around 10,000 Pakistanis have been rendered jobless in the United Arab Emirates due to the coronavirus pandemic.
In total, around 35,000 Pakistanis have registered with the consulate in Dubai in a bid to return to their homeland, Consul General Ahmed Amjad Ali said. The official said preparations are underway to bring back the stranded Pakistanis.
“Tourists, unemployed and the elderly will be given preference,” he said while describing the criteria for evacuation. Ali said screening measures have also been completed for returning tourists at the Dubai airport.
He added that bringing Pakistanis back in such large numbers is a huge challenge. Meanwhile, Dubai authorities have stated that they are ready to operate flights for Pakistanis who wish to return home and are waiting for permission from Pakistani authorities in this regard.
Dubai's Gulf News earlier reported that hundreds of Pakistanis had gathered outside the consulate on Sunday register to return home despite the emirate-wide lockdown. It is pertinent to mention that Pakistan is a big labour supplier to the UAE, with more than a million Pakistanis living and working in the country, according to Pakistani diplomats.
Since March, Dubai has been under lockdown as the UAE has ramped up measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
In March, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on National Security Division Moeed W. Yusuf had assured the nation that the government was in touch with the authorities of those countries where Pakistani passengers are stuck in transit.
Awami Muslim League chief appeared in the court with his lawyers Sardar Raziq and Sardar Shehbaz
Board meeting also allowed increase in business center and commercial area of hotel plots from 5 to 10 percent along...
Foreign exchange reserves currently stand at $8 billion, while Pakistan would also receive $1.1 billion IMF tranche:...
CM directed that the enforcement authorities be made functional in six months, and legislation in this regard be...
Pakistani soldiers and policemen stand guard outside the Haripur central jail. — AFP/FileWASHINGTON: The Pakistani...
Establishment Division has also issued an NoC to fill 465 civilian posts in the Ministry of Defence and 11 posts in...