Photo has been used for illustrative purposes.

Jamil Khan, Senior Reporter

The repatriation of stranded Pakistanis has been going on as many such community members are visiting daily to seek help from the officials. A majority of Pakistanis have lost their jobs in the UAE due to the coronavirus and are waiting for help.

Recently, the consulate received a local businessman who extended his help to the community.

In this regard, Ahmed Amjad Ali, Consul General of Pakistan in Dubai and Northern Emirates, met Yaqoub Mousa Mohammed, Chairman of Bu Abdullah Group, famous as Dr Bu Abdullah, who presented a gift of 10,000 gloves, 10,000 masks and sanitisers to the Pakistani community coming to the Dubai Consulate to solve their problems.

The Consul General appreciated the gesture of helping the community members from the local business entity.

Talking to the Consul General, Dr Bu Abdullah said that he was doing everything possible to help the Pakistanis working with him.

Later while talking to the media, Dr Bu Abdullah reiterated a firm resolve to stand by Pakistan as a very important ally of UAE and said, “We are two brother nations who have stood with each other through thick and thin and Pakistanis have played a significant role in development of many sectors in UAE such as real estate and IT, as culturally we understand each other very well.

“In these tough times when Pakistan is facing a corona related crisis, I am doing my effort to support their community and in this process the Consul General of Pakistan is also helping me reach out with these essential items for his countrymen. I hope we all come out of this crisis soon Insha Allah and I will be visiting Pakistan soon.”

However, the Pakistan Embassy in Abu Dhabi has issued a statement for the community and said that they have devised a new policy of fares for special repatriation flights for stranded community members residing in Al Ain and Abu Dhabi.

“The Pakistan mission has advised community members that they can now book their tickets through Pakistan International Airlines websites or authorised travel agents as from now there is no need to visit the Pakistan Embassy in Abu Dhabi or PIA booking office,” it said.

They also advised community members to pay only Dhs1,000 for Karachi or Dhs1,100 as one-way ticket for  Islamabad Lahore, Faisalabad and Multan flights.