Repatriating stranded Pakistanis a top priority: FM Qureshi

Meeting holds a detailed discussion over devising a strategy for the resumption of international flights

A high-level meeting, presided over by Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, on Wednesday reviewed several aspects of phase-wise repatriation of Pakistani citizens stranded in other countries.

The meeting was convened at the Foreign Ministry to tackle the issues related to the novel coronavirus pandemic.

The meeting was also attended by the Federal Minister for Aviation Ghulam Sarwar Khan, Special Assistant for Overseas Pakistanis Zulfiqar Bukhari, Special Assistant for National Security Dr Moeed Yousuf, Foreign Secretary Sohail Mehmood, Secretary of Aviation Division Hasan Nasir Jami, senior officials of the MoF and military officials.

The three meetings convened earlier sought recommendations from the Ministry of Health, Civil Aviation Authority, Overseas Division, National Institute of Health, Pakistan International Airlines, and several other institutions and detailed discussions on the recommendations were also held.

Addressing the meeting, the foreign minister maintained that bringing back Pakistanis stranded at airports across the globe is a top priority.

He further added that the foreign ministry established a crisis management cell on an immediate basis, which is in constant contact with Pakistani embassies all over the world and has complete statistics of overseas Pakistanis.

Qureshi informed the meeting that all the protocols were followed on the test flight and all 170 passengers returning from Thailand were tested negative.

"We have to ensure quarantine and various other medical facilities at airports for the positively tested coronavirus cases," said the FM.

He also informed that the flight operations due to lockdown in various countries are suspended presently.

Qureshi maintained that although healthcare authorities are increasing their efficiency pertaining to testing and quarantine facilities, the number of infections are increasing exponentially.

PIA also briefed the attendees on the preparations done in this regard.

The meeting also held a detailed discussion over devising a strategy for the resumption of international flights from April 4.

The unanimous recommendations put forth in the meeting will be presented at the next meeting of the National Coordination Committee (NCC) for approval.