Pakistan Embassy working full throttle to help countrymen leave under amnesty

RIYADH: The Pakistani Embassy in Riyadh is helping the Saudi government with the 90-day amnesty period to allow illegal residents to leave the country without fines, and with a chance to return legally.
Sardar Muhammad Khattak, first secretary at the embassy, told Arab News Monday said that the embassy and the consulate have made arrangements to assist illegal Pakistanis to benefit from the amnesty.
He said there are eight special counters at the embassy to assist with the form and the issuance of the emergency travel document (ETD).
He said the embassy provided a “one-window operation” on the weekend in Dammam to help those seeking amnesty. He said as for the exit visa, one must obtain an online appointment through the Absher portal of the Ministry of Interior and then go to the designated office on the given date and time.
The embassy set up five counters to help in seeking Jawazat (passport office) appointments for individuals unable to seek online appointments or who were facing problems.
Moreover, there are people who do not have Iqamas but have their border numbers on the passports; for them the embassy spoke to Jawazat officials and received assistance.
The embassy has arranged transport and will send an official with the Pakistanis going to the Jawazat office to help facilitate the exit document.
“The Jawazat officials have been very kind to us, helping the people; we are very thankful to them,” he added.
The embassy, under its community welfare wing, has set up a help center whose phone and WhatsApp No. is 0533783663. Its e-mail is [email protected].
The mission has temporarily canceled leave requests of staff to extend full cooperation to amnesty seekers.
“Those seeking leave can go after the situation improves,” said Khattak.