Since the airspace was shut down in late March to prevent the spread of coronavirus, Pakistanis who were travelling as pilgrims, Tableeghi Jamat workers, prisoners and labour force have been stranded in different countries. Express Tribune reported that the information has been obtained from National Assembly Secretariat.
In addition, 660 Pakistani citizens held as prison inmates in various countries have been released and registered themselves with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the purpose of returning back to Pakistan as soon as flights resume.
2,054 Tableeghi Jamat workers are stuck in foreign countries while 16,900 workers of multiple religious organisations who were on their preaching mission were stranded in different parts of the country as soon as the sudden lockdown was announced.
Similarly, 400 Afghan citizens are also stranded in Pakistan.
Additional to that, 275 Pakistani pilgrims are stranded in Iran while 725 pilgrims are held in various quarantine centres of Pakistan, including 44 in Taftan, 100 in Sukkur, 29 in Gomal University, 480 in Faisalabad and 74 in Dera Ghazi Khan centre.
Some 1,325 pilgrims have been allowed to return to their homes so far.