nEw HOPE FOR PREGnAnT wOMAn, SICK MuM
abu dhabi — Starting special flights between the UAE and Pakistan on April 18 is a comforting news for many people stranded in both the countries.
Among them are a pregnant woman, a sick mother with her premature baby and another woman with three kids to feed — all stranded in Dubai and Sharjah as their husbands are stuck in Pakistan. These women and many more are now relieved as they see end to their miseries. They feel their relentless prayers have been heard.
Sonia Faisal is brimming with hope since Tuesday morning. Sonia, who is recovering from caesarean delivery complications and her vertigo illness, is struggling to manage her preterm baby. Her husband Faisal Mushtaq is stuck in a remote place in Sialkot and it’s difficult for the couple to connect over phone. “Momina, my eightmonth-old baby, has high temperature for many days. I get severe vertigo attacks. I still have complications from my C-section and developed a new pain for a while now. I didn’t know my husband will be away for so long. I don’t know to whom to turn to if I collapse after vertigo attack. There’s no one to look after my baby. I am new to this country and don’t have any relatives or friends here. My husband works for a company in Dubai and went on an official trip to Pakistan last month,” Sonia said.
Lara Talha, a Filipina who is married to a Pakistani, is five months pregnant and her husband Talha Abdul Rehman is not in the UAE. “My husband went to Lahore on March 16 as his father passed away. He couldn’t return ever since. His details are registered on Tawjudi. Also, I lost my job as the hotel I was working at is shut. I am tensed and stressed. I don’t have any friends here. I am scared to go to hospital alone as they are too crowded. I am apprehensive and anxious.”
Lara fears her stress and frustration may affect the growth of the unborn. However, the news of special flights has renewed hopes that her husband will be back soon.
Aisha Farooq, who is in Sharjah with three kids, awaits return of her husband Nauman Ali Ghouri from Lahore.
“He left on February 27 as his mother was unwell. I am here alone with my three kids aged one, four and six-and-a-half years. It is becoming very difficult for me to manage things. Our rent payment is for next month. Then there are credit card payments for which banks are not giving time as they say deferrals are only for loans. School fees of kids are due. I am trying to manage things but unable to fulfil all requirements. I need my husband to come back as soon as possible.”
For all these people, who have their dear ones stuck in Pakistan, their hopes are pinned on the flight announced for next week.