TIMERGARA: The local chapters of all opposition parties in Lower Dir on Wednesday announced to march on Islamabad if government failed to bring the expatriate Pakistanis back to their homes.

The announcement was made during a multiparty conference organised by Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl at a local seminary in Mian Banda. The conference was attended by local leaders and activists of all major political parties including JI, PPP, ANP and PML-N besides contractors, human rights activists and representatives of civil society.

Speaking on the occasion, Ameer Sirajuddin of JUI-F, former MPA Izazul Mulk of JI, former MNA Sahibzada Yaqub Khan, Akbar Khan of Dir Qaumi Pasoon, Akhunzada Azhar Taqweem of PML-N, Abdul Rashid of ANP, trader leader Haji Anwarud Din and others alleged that government was not taking the issue of stranded overseas Pakistanis serious.

Moot demands increase in international flights

They said that scores of overseas Pakistanis, who fell prey to Covid-19, were buried in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries. They said that majority of Pakhtuns were suffering from serious health problems in Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar and Malaysia but neither the government nor its embassies were serious to take care of them.

The speakers said that overseas Pakistanis were expressing disappointment over the performance of Pakistani consulate in Riyadh. They said that dead bodies of expatriate Pakistanis were lying in morgues abroad.

They demanded of the government to provide relief to overseas Pakistanis. They also demanded increase in number of international flights for bring the stranded Pakistanis.

They threatened to march on Islamabad if government failed to take practical steps for bringing back the stranded expatriate Pakistanis and all dead bodies back home as soon as possible.

In Landi Kotal, the Khyber chapter of Awami National Party demanded immediate return of all the overseas Pakistanis stranded in different foreign countries.

The demand was made during a demonstration of ANP workers at Bara Press Club. Local leaders of the party said that coronavirus multiplied the problems of stranded Pakistanis.

They alleged that foreign office failed to effectively handle the issue of stranded Pakistanis as those people were still not given any firm assurance about their safe return. They demanded of the government to give due priority to the speedy and safe return of all stranded Pakistanis in different countries alongside extending them financial support.

Meanwhile, Qaumi Watan Party chairman Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao has urged government to increase the number of flights to bring back the overseas Pakistanis stranded in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states.

According to a press release issued in Peshawar, he said although government had ordered to resume flights from Peshawar airport to facilitate return of the overseas Pakistanis to come back to their homeland, there was a dire need to decrease the air fare.

“Most of Pakistanis, who are now stranded in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries, have lost their jobs due to coronavirus, therefore, the government must lower the air fare to facilitate their return,” said Mr Sherpao.

He said that the number of flights should also be increased to ensure transportation of maximum people within shortest possible time. He said that overseas Pakistanis particularly the Pakhtuns had been sending billions of rupees remittances to the country and it was responsibility of government to help them.

The QWP chief said that more than 2.5 million Pakistanis worked in Saudi Arabia and a large number of Pakhtuns were among them. He said that overseas Pakistanis were an asset of the country. He added that government should pay heed to their plight and take immediate steps to facilitate them.

Published in Dawn, June 4th, 2020