Pakistan raises concern with UK authorities for keeping it on ‘red list’ for travel

People queue to enter terminal 2, as tighter rules for international travellers start, at Heathrow Airport, amid the spread of the coronavirus disease, in London, Britain, on January 18, 2021. (REUTERS)

• Despite an improvement in the pandemic situation, Pakistani nationals are still required to undergo costly hotel quarantine on arrival in Britain
• Pakistani foreign minister also tells Britain an inclusive political settlement is the best way forward in Afghanistan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Friday expressed concern over the United Kingdom’s continued requirement for Pakistani nationals to undergo a costly 10-day hotel quarantine by retaining their country on its “red list” during a phone call with UK’s First Secretary of State Dominic Raab.
The UK authorities placed Pakistan and India on its red list of countries in April due to a surge in COVID-19 delta variant cases, though India was later upgraded to the “amber list” and its nationals are now required to provide proof of vaccination and negative virus test results after their arrival in the UK.
Pakistan’s high commission in London expressed its “disappointment” over Britain’s decision to retain Pakistan’s name on the list in the recent travel update on Thursday.
The country’s health chief Dr. Faisal Sultan had already sent a letter to UK officials earlier this month, showing that his country had the lowest daily cases, daily deaths, test positivity and total mortality in the whole region.
“The Foreign Minister shared concerns over the retention of Pakistan on the ‘Red List’ for travel ban,” the foreign office said in a statement while providing details of the conversation between the two officials. “He noted that the Covid-19 situation in Pakistan has improved and urged the UK government to reconsider its decision.”
The UK official had called Qureshi to discuss the prevailing situation in Afghanistan.
The foreign minister condemned the recent suicide attack near the Kabul airport on Thursday while pointing out that an inclusive political settlement was the best way forward in the war-battered country.
“The Foreign Minister highlighted Pakistan’s efforts in facilitating evacuation of diplomatic personnel and staff of international organizations and others, including British nationals, and assured Pakistan’s continued support in this context,” the statement added.
The UK foreign secretary thanked Pakistan for its support and facilitation.
The two officials also agreed to remain in close contact with each other.