Coronavirus: Thousands of Pakistanis register for repatriation flights

No date has been set for when the flights will start

A previous flight on April 21 repatriated 125 Brazilians from the UAE. Courtesy: Reuters
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Nearly 8,000 Pakistanis in the UAE have registered for a place on repatriation flights, officials said on Sunday.

Last week, the Consulate General of Pakistan in Dubai announced individuals could apply online to be flown home.

Consul-general Ahmed Amjad Ali said authorities would prioritise the most pressing cases, including those with expired UAE visas.

No date has yet been given for the start of flights but officials said they were working hard to arrange.

"About 50 per cent of those who have registered have expired visas," Mr Ali told The National.

“Our priority will be those who have expired visas and those who are stranded because of the flight closures and are emergency cases.”

On March 25, 101 Pakistanis were repatriated on a special flight leaving from Dubai International Airport.

On Sunday, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, announced no one with expired residency visas would receive fines for failing to renew until the end of the year.