SeverAl rePAtriAted citizeNS teSted PoSitive, SAyS officiAl

ISLAMABAD — Several Pakistani nationals who returned to the country during the last week have tested positive for the virus, Geo News reported, quoting a senior official.

“Till now, we have repatriated 15,000 Pakistanis from different countries while more than 100,000 Pakistanis are still stuck abroad in 88 different countries,” special assistant to the prime minister on national security division and strategic policy planning Moeed Yousaf told a Press conference on Saturday.

Yousaf said a number of those who returned to the country over the last 12 days have tested positive for the virus.

“Our main goal is to stem the spread of the virus,” he said. “Which is why when passengers return it is mandatory they quarantine for 48 hours. There are no exemptions for anyone from this rule.

“Passengers have the choice to either quarantine on their own expense in hotels or stay for free in government-run centres,” he added.

He said more than 15,000 Pakistanis stuck in Saudi Arabia were waiting to return home.

“Those wishing to return need to register with embassies. The embassies will then decide, depending on the urgency, which plane you can board and on what date. The embassies are playing a crucial role in helping us,” Geo News quoted him as saying.

30 flights operating

The adviser added that the government would operate an additional 30 fights from May 1 to May 10. “We are increasing our capacity so that more stranded Pakistanis could return home. We still have capacity issues which is why the prime minister has asked the provinces to increase their testing capacity.”

“This week our focus will be on bringing back Pakistanis stranded in Saudi Arabia and African countries. —