Good news for all Pakistani citizens stranded abroad: Finally, Pakistani government has announced new policy today and allowed all international airlines to operate inbound flights for Pakistan. The decision came to repatriate stranded Pakistanis on fast track.
Special Assistant to Prime Minister Dr. Moeed Yousaf announced new policy in a press briefing on 17 June 2020. According to new policy, all international airlines will be allowed to operate inbound flights on 8 international airports of Pakistan.
Pakistani citizens living abroad can purchase flight ticket directly from airlines. Airlines will announce their schedule soon, passengers can buy flight tickets from official booking websites of airlines. They do not need to visit Pakistani embassy or consulate to buy ticket any more. Almost 200,000 Pakistanis want to go home, the new policy will allow airlines to bring 40,000 Pakistanis back to home country. As a result, all stranded Pakistani will be repatriated as soon as possible.
The new policy will come into effect from 21 June 2020 and will be in effect until further notice. Although Pakistani government has lifted restrictions for inbound flights yet these flights are not as regular as before crises. Flights won’t operate at 100% capacity, instead, they will operate on 25% capacity only. The sole purpose of new policy is to repatriate stranded Pakistan.
Pakistan has already allowed all international airlines to operate outbound flights from Pakistan. The new policy has allowed inbound flights as well. Pakistani government has appealed to citizens living abroad not to travel to Pakistan until it is unavoidable.
The new decision of Pakistani government is highly commendable because nearly 200000 Pakistanis abroad are now jobless, living a miserable life and waiting for flights, especially expatriates living gulf countries like UAE and Saudi Arabia. Now, all of them will be able to go home very soon.
Upon reaching Pakistani airport, passengers will be tested for symptoms of covid 19. Those who have symptoms will be sent to government quarantine center whereas those who don’t have symptoms will be allowed to go home; however, they have to stay in quarantine for up to 14 days at home.