Stranded Pakistanis left Bangladesh amid pandemic

As many as 120 stranded Pakistani nationals left Bangladesh on Tuesday by a special flight arranged by the Government of Pakistan amid lockdown due to the spread of coronavirus pandemic, says a statement.

“Pakistan government in collaboration with Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) [arranged the flight for repatriation of [the] stranded Pakistanis in Bangladesh,” said the statement issued by Pakistani High Commission in Dhaka.

Among the deportees 66 were students, the statement added.

The flight was part of Pakistan's special repatriation operation to bring back thousands of its citizens stranded across the globe through PIA and other airlines.

Pakistan’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Mr. Imran Ahmed Siddiqui, was present at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka to oversee the arrangements for the flight and to bid farewell to the passengers.

Speaking on the occasion, High Commissioner Siddiqui underscored the importance the Government of Pakistan attached to the repatriation of stranded Pakistanis from all over the world.

The High Commissioner assured that his team in Dhaka will continue to take all possible measures to ensure safe and early return of all those Pakistanis who wish to return home amid Covid-19 outbreak.

The helpline and social media groups set up by the High Commission for facilitation of Pakistanis in Bangladesh would also continue to function.

The passengers expressed their gratitude for the relief operation launched by the High Commission for Pakistanis in remote areas of Bangladesh during Covid-19 lockdown last month.

They also expressed their satisfaction at the arrangements made for their departure to Pakistan. 

Kamruzzaman