ISLAMABAD, Jul 2 (APP): Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on National Security Division and Strategic Policy Planning, Dr. Moeed Yusuf on Thursday strongly rejected the news in a section of the press that Pakistani passengers have been allegedly exporting the coronavirus to other countries.
Addressing a press conference at the National Command and Operation Center (NCOC), he said that the British High Commissioner has confirmed that it was British media’s and not the government’s stance regarding the COVID-19 positive cases of returning Pakistanis expats.
He said that Pakistan was the only country holding tests, quarantine and screening of outbound passengers. He said that only 30 returning overseas Pakistanis tested positive in the UK where it was claimed they were a huge number of the affected.
He said that the hue and cry made against Pakistan for exporting coronavirus was baseless as some people tested positive in many countries due to disease spread. He said that international and national media propagated baseless news regarding this issue.
He said that the people having symptoms should avoid traveling abroad as some countries do not allow passengers with symptoms and they would be deported.
He said that 90 percent Overseas Pakistanis have been repatriated from Gulf countries. He said that stranded Pakistanis would be brought back completely by the next week on their will. He said that outbound screening made mandatory was already adopted since the last 3 months. He said that countries have imposed a condition for the test before flying.
Dr. Moeed Yusuf said that destination country and airline policy should be followed at all costs by outbound passengers. He said that travel was prohibited in case of symptoms. He said that there are some incidents where outbound passengers have presented invalid medical certificates that were highlighted abroad as a shame for the country.
He said that the flight operation was only for stranded Pakistanis and only people in an emergency would be given priority. “It’s only for repatriation of tourists and enjoyment passengers should avoid misadventure”, he said.
He said that our priority is to facilitate the labourers and everybody should show responsibility. He said that coronavirus was still an issue and people should follow the standard operating procedures (SOPs).
He said that the coronavirus test is mandatory for travelling abroad and without the test passengers should avoid coming to airports.
Moeed Yusuf said that the PIA flights for the gulf region will continue. He said we have brought back Pakistanis from seventy countries.
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