Pakistani travellers stranded due to suspension of international flights

High commissions in Malaysia and Thailand come to aid of Pakistani nationals stranded at airports

The federal government's March 21 move to suspend international flights coming into Pakistan till April 4 has left travellers stranded at airports across the globe.

At least 55 Pakistanis were stranded at the Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok, Thailand while 54 passengers were refused boarding by airlines at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Malaysia.



The situation in KL became complicated with the passengers being denied boarding despite completing immigration formalities. However, Pakistan's High Commission in Malaysia rescued the Pakistanis national after speaking to Malaysian immigration authorities.

The Pakistani nationals were released from the airport around midnight and were accommodated in a local hotel and provided meals.



In Thailand, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar assisted the stranded passengers after discussions with the Thai authorities.

"All being taken care of," he wrote on Twitter.

Pak Emb BKK fully seized with the situation of 50 Pakistanis stranded in transit at Bkk since last night. Officers, staff and myself are at airport. All being taken care off. Also in touch with Thai and Pak authorities for early resolution #FOCMU @ForeignOfficePk @SMQureshiPTI

— Asim Iftikhar Ahmad (@Asimiahmad) March 22, 2020

More than 100 Pakistani passengers stranded at the Dubai International Airport were helped by the consulate staff.

More than 100 Pakistani passengers stranded at Dubai Airport. Consulate established round the clock Help Desk, Consul General himself and Officers are at the airport since yesterday
1/2 pic.twitter.com/PH6GCFjvGf

— Pakistan Consulate General Dubai (@PakinDubai_) March 22, 2020

The Pakistan Embassy in Doha also remained in contact with the airport authorities to resolve the issues.

Pak Emb Doha in const cntct with Qatar Airwys and Doha Arport authrties reg stranded Pak passengers. matter will Inshallah soon be resolved with help of Pak & Qatar authrties. Emb in contct with sev pssngrs onWhatsAp+97433722196 #FOCMU @ForeignOfficePk @SMQureshiPTI

— Pakistan Embassy Qatar (@PakinQatar) March 22, 2020

The chaos came after the sudden move to suspend international flights coming into the country in wake of a surge in novel coronavirus cases across the country.

Pakistan reported its fourth death due to the virus Sunday after a woman passed away in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The country's tally of confirmed cases stands at 646 with 292 patients in Sindh, 152 in Punjab, 104 in Balochistan, 55 in Gilgit Baltistan, 31 in K-P, 11 in Islamabad and one in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

Keeping in view the situation, the federal government has taken sweeping steps to contain the outbreak. In this regards, Prime Minister Imran Khan is also set to address the nations today. He is expected to announce measures to combat the COVID-19 situations.

Meanwhile, the governments of Sindh, Punjab and Balochistan have sought deployment of the armed forces in aid of civil power under Article 245 of the Constitution read with Section 131 (A) of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPc).