Pakistani students stranded in Turkey desperate to return

Students say they are unaware of any definite flight plans as consulate communicate conflicting messages

KARACHI:  

Hundreds of Pakistani citizens including students stranded in Turkey await the government’s flight plan approval to return home amid a flight ban till April 11, according to official sources.

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) General Manager Public Affairs Abdullah Khan said the national flag carrier submits a flight plan for approval from the government on a daily basis and Turkey is on the list of countries that will receive special flights for bringing back stranded individuals.

“We have brought back 8,000 people from Saudi Arabia and 194 passengers from Turkey.”

Khan revealed that the plane crew is tested medically, given N95 masks and protective gear before boarding these special flights and are quarantined for six weeks if they get off the plane.

Umair Muhammad Haroon, an exchange student studying in Turkey said he was called to Istanbul from Izmir by the Pakistani consulate and was put on the special flight list. However, he is still stranded in the city with no definite information about his return flight.

Haroon said he was told he is not on the priority list of those who would be sent back home immediately. “First they will fly back those in a limbo at the airport, then those whose visas are expiring soon including students and in the end the ones who have longer visas for stay in Turkey.”

Another exchange student, Zohaib Zafar, questioned if he was being misled by the consulate with regard to return flights.

“I am out of money. Our families cannot transfer money to us as private money transfer services are closed. I won’t be able to live here for long unless I fast all day and save the last bit of cash with me.”

He said he pays 30 liras in rent per day for a room and food costs around 25 liras per day if he consumes a modest diet. He called on the government to help him pay for expenses during his stay in Turkey.

Nida Zafar, the sister of Zohaib, said she contacted the PIA helpline to inquire about flights from Turkey and was allegedly told that 100 students had arrived in Pakistan from Turkey on Friday who are currently in quarantine.

“My brother was not one of them. I am quite anxious and want him to come home and request the government to kindly arrange flights from Turkey as soon as possible.”

Speaking to The Express Tribune, PIA Customer Operation Executive Furqan Ahmed said so far no special direct or connecting flight is scheduled to arrive from Turkey, according to the information available on the system.

He revealed that the government has responded to the request of Britain, Canada and Malaysia to send special flights to the countries from April 5 to 10 to assist the return of their citizens from Pakistan.

“When the flights return they bring in our stranded citizens too,” he said.

Passengers quarantined, tested for COVID-16

A 20-year-old student, who arrived in Pakistan from Turkey on Friday, said he has been quarantined in a hotel in Islamabad and is waiting for the swab test results for determining if he is coronavirus sick.

He said the final list of 200 passengers scheduled to fly to Pakistan was communicated to him on April 1. He along with his two roommates were asked to come to the airport in Istanbul to fly back home.

The young student was told by the administration that he will be flown back to his home city once the tests come out negative, otherwise he would be quarantined at the premises for longer.

The youth revealed he has not been provided with any safety gear though he has been accommodated in a separate room like everyone else. “We are only offered a complimentary breakfast at the hotel. For the next meal we have to pay Rs500,” he added.