Islamabad: The Saudi embassy in Pakistan evacuated all its citizens who wanted to return to Saudi Arabia, the state news agency said on Sunday.
Saudi Ambassador to Islamabad Nawaf bin Saeed Al-Malki said in a statement this week that the embassy had contacted Saudi nationals across Pakistan to facilitate their return home within 72 hours. The embassy did not share the exact number of Saudi nationals residing in Pakistan.
“All citizens who wanted to return to Saudi Arabia” have been evacuated by the Saudi embassy in Islamabad, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The Kingdom has reported 103 coronavirus cases but no deaths. It suspended the Umrah pilgrimage and locked down its eastern Qatif region where many infections are located. It has also asked people to avoid shaking hands, and urged the population of 30 million to limit their movements.
The Kingdom also suspended international flights and shuttered entertainment venues this weekend over coronavirus fears.
Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has launched 11 special flights to take Saudi iqama, or residency permit, holders of Pakistani origin back to the Kingdom after officials of the Arab state gave them a 72-hour window to return, a PIA official said on Saturday.
Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs has established three Front Desk Facilitation Counters at Jeddah airport to help Pakistani Umrah pilgrims, the ministry said on Sunday.
“Staff has been deployed to ensure round the clock coordination with Saudi authorities for the smooth return of Umrah pilgrims,” the ministry said.
