Coronavirus pandemic: More than 200 homeless Pakistanis to be repatriated from Dubai

DUBAI: More than 200 homeless Pakistanis in Dubai have been handed over to Pakistan Consulate Dubai to arrange their repatriation from the Emirates as they were forced to sleep on roads in Dubai after losing their money following the coronavirus pandemic, a senior diplomat told The News.

These stranded Pakistanis were forced to live along various roads in Dubai after becoming homeless following the coronavirus outbreak as they did not have enough money to get rented space and buy their meals, the Pakistan Consulate stated.

“Around 100 homeless have been repatriated to Pakistan in different special flights while others would be evacuated soon,” he stated. The senior diplomat, on condition of anonymity, revealed that these homeless Pakistanis were found sleeping in Jumeirah, Al Wasl streets and nearby consulate building and seeking to return to their homeland.

“The local authorities requested to facilitate them and make arrangements for their repatriation,” he said. Pakistan's diplomatic mission in Dubai arranged for a residence for these homeless citizens and started sending them to their homeland, Pakistan Consulate Dubai confirmed.

“We have arranged the residence of homeless Pakistanis in Ajman and Ras Al Khaimah,” the consulate official disclosed. The consulate is not only facilitating by making arrangements for their residence but also taking care of meals for these homeless Pakistanis stranded in Dubai, the consulate authorities informed.

Many labourers from Pakistan have been left with no choice but to sleep on roads in the UAE from where local authorities pick them and hand them over to Pakistani authorities after thoroughly scrutinising, the senior diplomat stated.

“Unfortunately, some of these homeless Pakistanis have cases of financial dispute against them as well so some of them would not be able to return without resolving these cases,” he added.

Originally published in The News