India allows 193 stranded Pakistanis to return home

NEW DELHI: The Indian government has allowed 193 Pakistanis stranded in the country due to the coronavirus lockdown to return on May 5.

The Indian External Affairs Ministry has directed state police chiefs to facilitate the travel of the stranded Pakistanis back to their country via the Attari-Wagah border crossing next week. The Pakistani nationals have been told to arrive at the border early Tuesday to begin the formal process of their return. The ministry said only asymptomatic persons will be allowed to return to Pakistan. "It is requested that all returning Pakistani nationals may be screened as per international norms and existing provisions of the government of India and only asymptomatic individuals may be allowed to return," said Dammu Ravi, additional secretary of the ministry.