Attari-Wagah (Punjab): Around 200 Pakistani nationals, who were stranded in India due to the ongoing COVID-19 lockdown, crossed over to the neighbouring country through the Attari-Wagah border on Thursday.
One of the Karachi residents, Salma Chaudhary, who was stranded in India said that she faced a lot of problems due to the pandemic and lockdown but thanked the Ministry of External Affairs and Pakistan High Commission for helping her.
"I came on March for 15 days for the renewal of my passport and got stuck here due to lockdown. I also faced some problems, but finally, I am going home today. I thank MEA and Pakistan High Commission for helping me," Chaudhary told.
The Karachi resident said that she is an Indian married to a Pakistani national.
"My family, including my husband and seven-year-old son, lives in Pakistan. I am feeling quite excited as I am going back home after months and am going to meet them," she added.
The Indian nationals were sent back by Pakistan in three phases after Covid screening.
In a letter, issued by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on request of the High Commission of Pakistan, it has been directed to facilitate the return of Pakistani nationals from Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan to Attari for their return via Wagah border at 10 a.m. on Thursday.
"It is requested that all movement of the vehicles may be facilitated, for enabling the stranded Pakistani nationals to reach Attari on September 3 morning. Drivers, along with vehicles, may be allowed to return to the standing point of place of residence as the case may be after dropping them at Attari," the MEA notification read.
"It is requested that all returning Pakistani nationals be screened as per international norms and following the health protocol in place", the notification added.
As per protocols, the border will be opened for one day and the authorities at the Wagah border will receive the returning Pakistanis. All of the returned Pakistani nationals will be screened and tested to check if anyone is carrying the virus before being sent ahead to their respective hometowns.
If anyone is found with symptoms of the novel coronavirus, he/she will be sent ahead to quarantine centres or the relevant medical facilities handling the pandemic.
The Pakistani nationals returning from India have expressed happiness and relief after hearing the news as they had been stuck in India for months.
(ANI REPORT)
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