30 stranded Pakistanis repatriated from Sri Lanka

KARACHI (92 News) – As many as 30 stranded Pakistanis left Colombo on Tuesday as a result of coordinated efforts of Pakistan High Commission and Sri Lankan Authorities. According to the details garnered, stranded Pakistanis in Sri Lanka have landed back in Pakistan. A flight of the Sri Lankan Airlines with 30 stranded Pakistanis on board landed at the Karachi International airport. The passengers were disinfected by the staff of Civil Aviation Authority upon landing. The passengers were screened and later were sent to the quarantine facility as precautionary measure amid coronavirus outbreak. The flight will return back to Colombo after taking back the Lankan citizens stranded in Pakistan. Deputy High Commissioner Tanvir Ahmad saw off the departing Pakistanis at the Bandaranaike International Airport, Colombo. The returning Pakistanis thanked Government of Pakistan for arranging their repatriation to Pakistan. They also expressed satisfaction and acknowledged efforts by the High Commission for the welfare and well-being of community members faced with difficulties in the wake of the outbreak of Pandemic COVID-19. Earlier, a PIA flight carrying 250 stranded Pakistanis reached Karachi from Malaysia. Meanwhile, another flight with 250 passengers reached Karachi from Dubai. In addition, two flights reached Faisalabad from Dubai. The passengers will be kept in quarantine. Steps are being taken to bring back the Pakistanis stranded in Saudi Arabia and China. Earlier talking to the media, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that 10,000 Pakistanis have so far been brought back from different countries. “About 2,285 Pakistanis have been brought back from Britain through 14 flights. We are cognizant of the problems of the stranded Pakistanis and our missions abroad have been directed to fully look after them,” he said.