Covid-19: PM Imran appreciates philanthropic role played by overseas Pakistanis

Premier says airspace will open tomorrow to help overseas workers return home

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Saturday appreciated the philanthropic role played by the overseas Pakistani community amid Covid-19 outbreak across the world.

The premier took to microblogging website Twitter and said Pakistanis living abroad have been a source of inspiration and have continued to help their brothers and sisters during this difficult time.

"There are many examples where the Pakistani community has been a source of inspiration, helping those around in need," he wrote.

I appreciate the philanthropic role played by the Overseas Pakistani community in helping their brothers & sisters abroad during Covid19. There are many examples where the Pakistani community has been a source of inspiration, helping those around in need.

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) June 20, 2020

In another tweet, the premier announced that airspace for international flights will now be opened.

He said the reason for opening the airspace is to help overseas workers return home, adding that they have suffered the most during the pandemic.

The premier maintained that the government would facilitate the workers in every way.

"This is being done especially to help our overseas workers who have suffered most in this pandemic but have shown great courage and made us proud."

Tomorrow we will partially open airspace for intl flights.This is being done specially to help our Overseas workers who have suffered most in this pandemic but have shown great courage & made us proud. We welcome you back home & our govt will facilitate you in every way.

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) June 20, 2020

Under a new policy, around 40,000 to 45,000 Pakistanis will return to the country every week and all stranded citizens will be home in a month.

“The federal government, in consultation with the National Command and Operation Centre [NCOC] and the provinces, has formulated a new comprehensive policy for the repatriation of the Pakistanis stuck abroad,” Special Assistant to the PM on National Security and Strategic Policy Dr Moeed Yusuf said at a news conference, earlier this week.

“Under the new policy, only symptomatic passengers will be tested and if found they positive, they will be quarantined at the facilities provided by the government,” he added.

“However, it will be mandatory for every passenger to quarantine themselves for 14 days at home and they will have to submit this in writing at the airport.”

The SAPM explained that the provinces through the track and trace system would keep an eye on these passengers and those found in violation would be penalised in accordance with law.