11-day visa extension to be given to Pakistanis stranded in Urumqi

Chinese authorities have allowed an 11-day visa extension to the Pakistanis who were stranded in Urumqi, a city in northwest of China due to unavailability of flights.

An official source said on Saturday that all the Pakistanis stranded in Chinese northwest city will be provided hotel accommodation and food free of cost till their flights resume between Urumqi and Islamabad.

Earlier, a group of nearly 200 traders and other community members appealed the Pakistani government to make necessary preparations for their evacuation as their visas were expired amid suspension of flight operations due to coronavirus outbreak.

Foreign Office Spokesperson Aisha Farooqui, later in her press briefing on Thursday, had said that Pakistan has raised the issue with relevant Chinese authorities and they have guaranteed them for assistance.

“The Chinese authorities in the capital city Beijing and Urumqi are providing assistance to our nationals including students and traders who are currently stranded in Urumqi are being provided accommodation, food and healthcare”, according to a senior official of the Pakistan Embassy in Beijing.

“The embassy officials are also in contact with them in Urumqi so were the Chinese authorities and as of now, there is absolutely no problem and difficulty being faced by these stranded people”, said the official.