Flight suspension disrupts Pakistani expats’ travel plans

Flight suspension disrupts Pakistani expats’ travel plans

Tanvir Usman, Many Pakistani expats are shelving their travel plans as uncertainty prevails over suspension of Pak-UAE flights due to the coronavirus pandemic. Similarly, Pakistanis stuck back home are worried about their jobs and have requested the authorities concerned to lift the travel ban as soon as possible. The outbound flights from Pakistan to the UAE have been suspended since May 12 after the UAE announced suspension of entry for travellers from Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal and Sri Lanka as part of the COVID-19 precautionary measures. Pakistan had announced 80 per cent reduction in inbound flights on May 5 amid the worsening coronavirus situation. READ MORE In view of the current situation, many Pakistanis wishing to travel to their native country have postponed their vacation plans and those stuck in Pakistan have pleaded for lifting of the travel ban. Saqib, a Pakistani resident in Dubai, said he is reluctant to travel to Pakistan owing to the restrictions on Pak-UAE flights. "I planned a short trip to my home country last month but could not go due to the ban on flights. Pakistan has reduced the number of flights from the UAE and the UAE has completely banned Pakistan flights. Though I