Expats hope UAE flights will resume soon as virus cases decline in India and Pakistan
Photo has been used for illustrative purposes.
Tanvir Usman, Gulf Today
Indian and Pakistani expatriates, hit by travel restrictions, are hopeful that the UAE flights will resume soon as coronavirus cases are declining in their respective countries.
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The inbound UAE flights have been suspended for travellers from India and Pakistan as part of the COVID-19 precautionary measures.
Many Indian and Pakistani expats are stuck in their native countries due to suspension of flights. Similarly, those who wish to visit their families back home have postponed their travel plans as uncertainty prevails over the flights’ status.
Hassan Shaukat, a Dubai resident from Pakistan, said he is hopeful that the Pak-UAE flights will resume soon as Pakistan has seen a significant drop in coronavirus cases in recent days.
“I came to Pakistan to spend Eid Al Fitr with my family in Lahore but got stuck due to flight suspension. I am pretty much sure that the authorities concerned will open Pakistan flights soon as cases are continuing to decline and the vaccination campaign has gathered pace in the country.
“The UAE has set an example by efficiently curbing the deadly virus, which has wreaked havoc all across the world. I hope the authorities will end this suspension in the best interest of the country as well as the overseas workers,” Shaukat added.
Shams-ud-Din, a grocery worker in Sharjah who is stuck in Kerala, also expressed hope that the UAE flights will resume soon as the COVID-19 cases are gradually declining in India.
“India is experiencing a sharp decline in virus cases, thanks to the strict measures imposed by the government. As the country is slowly returning to normalcy, I hope the travel restrictions are not going to last for too long. Though India flights are suspended till July 6, I see light at the end of the tunnel. I am desperate to rejoin my work soon in my ‘second home.’ The UAE cares about its expatriate community and surely they will find a way out to fix the travel problems amid the pandemic."
Najam, a Dubai resident, said that he wished to travel to Pakistan along with his family to celebrate Eid Al Adha there but postponed the plan due to travel restrictions.
“I wanted to go to Pakistan for a short Eid break along with my wife and kids, but cancelled the plan until there is a smooth resumption of flights. As the coronavirus situation is improving in the UAE as well as in Pakistan, I hope that travel will resume soon between the two countries with strict precautionary measures.“
