Islamabad: Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority contacts Saudi Arabia’sgovernment over stranded Pakistanis in kingdom.As Saudi Arabia-givendeadline for receiving the holder of its residency or Iqama holders isgoing to end tomorrow, the Civil Aviation Authority has requested theKingdom to extend flight operation till March 25.
The CAA has sent the request to Saudi Aviation as there are over 5,000Pakistani who want to travel to the Arab state before the deadline expires.
The CAA said that all private airlines and the Pakistan InternationalAirlines (PIA) are operating to take the passengers to Saudi Arabia, addingthat they are waiting for a reply from Saudi counterpart.
Taking precautionary measures to prevent coronavirus spread, Saudi Arabiaon Thursday announced to lockdown the country and gave 72-hours time toumrah pilgrims and those on visit visa to leave the country.
The kingdom, where coronavirus cases have surged to 45, also announced thesame deadline for its citizens and those with valid residency to return tothe country, before the travel suspension decision becomes effective.
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The announcement created panic among those who were in Pakistan to spendvacations as thousands of Iqama holders thronged to offices of the airlinesto get tickets.
Large queues were observed at PIA booking offices in Islamabad, Lahore,Rawalpinid, Multan and Sialkot where the passengers and staff also haveheated exchange.
