Finally, 41 Pakistan nationals return home via Attari border

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, April 16

As many as 41 Pakistani nationals, who were stuck in India following the closure of border due to Covid-19 outbreak, returned via the Attari border on Thursday

The Union Government is facilitating the repatriation of 180 Pakistani citizens stranded in different parts of Delhi, Haryana, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh

SAFMA activist Rajinder Singh Ruby said 263 Indian citizens too had been stranded in Pakistan, including many students. They have been asked to stay put in line with the government’s policy till some arrangement was made for their return, he said.

“We were in touch with several Sikh pilgrims who got stranded at Gurdwara Dehra Sahib in Lahore. They told that they had conveyed the Indian High Commission in Islamabad to help them reach India,” he said.

Meanwhile, all Pakistani nationals were screened as before they were allowed to cross over to Wagah. They would undergo self-isolation in Pakistan.

Showing gratitude towards India and Pakistan governments, Karachi resident Mohammad Hussain said, “We had gone to Mumbai on March 8 to attend Urs ritual. By the time of our return, the lockdown was imposed. We faced some difficulty, but it was acceptable given the situation.”

Nankana Sahib resident Bhupinder Singh said he had come on February 22 as a tourist with his family. “On returning home, I would be to pay obeisance at Gurdwara Janam Asthan, Nankana Sahib. Pakistan too should help Indian citizens return to their homes,” he said.