Covid-19: UAE hails Pakistan citizens’ repatriation

DUBAI: The UAE officials have praised Pakistan’s efforts to repatriate its stranded citizens from the UAE by operating special flights, foreign media reported on Tuesday.

The remarks came during a virtual meeting through a video link between Nasser Bin Thani Al Hameli, UAE’s Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE), and Zulfiqar Bukhari, Special Assistant to Pakistan Prime Minister on Overseas Pakistanis.

Both discussed the cooperation between the UAE and Pakistan on evacuation of Pakistanis who are willing to go back to Pakistan from the UAE due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

During the meeting, matters pertaining to the migrant workers’ issues and repatriation of the stranded Pakistanis came up for discussion. Meanwhile, the UAE’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Hamad Obaid Al Zaabi, also extended his gratitude to the government of Pakistan for its continued cooperation to ensure successful repatriation of its stranded nationals, intending to return home in view of the coronavirus pandemic.

“Constant work and coordination is underway to ensure return of our Pakistani brothers to Pakistan from the Emirates within a specific mechanism. Thanks again to the government of Pakistan and my dear brother Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Overseas Pakistanis Sayed Zulfikar Abbas Bukhari for taking interest, cooperation and thorough follow up,” Al Zaabi tweeted.

Al Zaabi had made similar remarks in the past after some 1,500 Pakistanis were brought to Pakistan from UAE on April 20 due to the coordinated efforts of both the countries.

So far 3,418 Pakistanis have been flown back to their country from the UAE since the beginning of special flight operations by Pakistan in the wake of the global pandemic, according to a Pakistani diplomat.

More than 1,200 stranded Pakistanis were booked on five special flights scheduled for April 28.

At least 21 more special flights will be operated from May 1 to 10 to repatriate stranded Pakistanis from the UAE.

Out of a total of 21 flights, 15 will be operated by Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), while six flights will be handled by UAE-based airlines. More than 4,600 passengers will be able to travel on these special flights. This is in addition to the already-announced five flights that are scheduled to take off from the UAE on April 28.