New Delhi: At least 41 stranded Pakistani nationals were allowed to leave for their homeland via Attari borders after special permission was taken from the Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday. Many Pakistani families were trapped in different areas of India due to the lockdown restrictions.
The Ministry of External Affairs has helped Pakistan Embassy to evacuate their citizens stranded in India after it closed the border crossing points and restricted operation of passenger flights as part of measures to fight the coronavirus pandemic.
"We came to Agra on 10th April to take part in a religious congregation and visa was valid till April 22. We are thankful to the government authorities of Pakistan and India who co-ordinated and helped us in this time of crisis", one of the nationals said.
Arrangement of vehicles was done by the Indian authorities to help Pakistani nationals who are currently in different parts of Delhi, Haryana, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh. Authorities were directed to facilitate the movement of the vehicles that will take the Pakistani nationals to the land border.
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Expressing happiness, Pakistani national Wilayat Ali said, "We are relieved that we are returning to our homeland. We came here for medical treatment. We were stuck due to lockdown but the Indian authorities co-operated with us and helped us."
On being asked about visa extension, Ali said, "Government officials told us to apply for the online visa and it got extended till April 22. We are thankful to the authorities that they helped us. We received a warm welcome in India."
According to government sources, the High Commission of Pakistan communicated to MEA that Pakistani nationals were stranded in India and they want to return to their respective places. Co-ordination among the concerned authorities was done to facilitate their departure.
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However, it is being ensured that all returning Pakistani nationals may be screened as per the international norms and existing provisions of the Government of India and only asymptomatic individuals be allowed to return
To ensure the expeditious and safe return of stranded Pakistanis, Pakistan High Commission was in close contact with the Indian side. Last month, five Pakistan nationals returned home via the Attari-Wagah border point who visited India for medical visas.
