Saturday 21 / December / 2024
Muscat: Despite the closure of commercial flights in the wake of coronavirus (COVID-19), the Embassy of Pakistan has successfully repatriated 18 dead bodies back to Pakistan.
The deaths of the Pakistani nationals were not related to COVID-19, informed HE KK Ahsan Wagan, Ambassador of Pakistan in the Sultanate in an exclusive interview with the Times of Oman.
“During these challenging times, the Embassy is in constant touch with Pakistan nationals residing in the Sultanate. We are ensuring that our consular and welfare services are provided uninterrupted to the Pakistani community. Our helpline numbers are 24x7 available for addressing any emergencies. “Since the lockdown and closure of airspace and cancellation of commercial flights in Oman and Pakistan, we at the Embassy have successfully managed to repatriate 18 human remains through cargo flights. These deaths were not due to COVID-19 but other medical reasons/natural deaths,” Wagan said.
In addition to that, the Embassy has been very active since the outbreak of COVID-19 in Oman and the closure of the Wilayat Muttrah. To date, it has provided food assistance to more than 12,000 community members across the Sultanate.
“We have taken a series of internal measures at the premises of the Embassy ensuring safety and security of consular staff as well as visiting Pakistani community members. Also, we have managed to keep the consular services open all seven days with no time restrictions via email and phone services to be there for the Pakistani nationals in distress."
“In view of the Supreme Committee’s decision to lockdown the Muttrah district where a large number of Pakistan blue collar workers and families are residing, the Embassy approached Pakistan philanthropist and business community leaders to support the families/individuals confined in the locked down areas and other parts of the country. As of today, we have reached out to more than 12000 community members throughout the Sultanate and provided food assistance containing basic food items like flour, rice, sugar, cooking oil, pulses, dry milk, tea, etc,” the ambassador said.
He said in order to look after food assistance programme in the country, the Embassy set up a Relief Committee team in major cities including Salalah, Sohar, Nizwa, Ibra and Buraimi.
Wagan further informed that during this entire exercise, concerned Omani authorities provided great help and assistance, which he deeply appreciates. “I highly acknowledge the role played by the Supreme Committee in taking a series of measures to successfully contain the pandemic. I wish that during this Holy month, COVID-19 pandemic will end soon and normal life will start at the earliest,” he added.
