Around 200 Pakistanis stranded in Istanbul are running out of money and are unable to manage their living expenses as the flight operations have been suspended due to the fatal outbreak of coronavirus. It’s getting difficult for the passengers to prevent the virus as coronavirus cases in Turkey have been increasing exponentially.
Many elderly citizens and children are among the stuck passengers. They told Naya Daur that they were consistently in contact with the Pakistani consulate in Turkey, but the authorities were not doing something substantial but only giving verbal assurances.
Muhammad Farhan, a Pakistani tourist stranded in Istanbul, said: “I fear that long stay in Istanbul can put me into a financial trouble as I have to pay extra hotel rent and manage all my other living expenses.”
Another Pakistani said that Istanbul was partially locked down due to coronavirus and he had no idea about when things would return to normal. He said that around 200 people including elderly people, women, and children were stranded in Turkey’s capital.
Muhammad Raza Shah, an intern in Istanbul, said that he had already spent 300$ on accommodation. “Now I don’t have more money to pay my rent and meet other expenses. The hotels here also refuse to accept us as guests,” he added.
Umair Haroon, another stranded passenger said, “I was in Izmir and I came to Istanbul to catch up a flight, but it was cancelled, when Pakistan suspended all international flights.”
When contacted, the Pakistani consulate in Istanbul refused Naya Daur’s request for comment.
Foreign Office (FO) spokesperson Aisha Farooqi, when contacted said that the Pakistani consulate in Istanbul is in regular contact with the stuck passengers in the country. “Turkish government is taking all possible measures to ensure safe stay of all passengers during this suspension period of flight operations,” she added. She further said that the consulate will pay all expenses of the passengers stay during that period.
Many elderly citizens and children are among the stuck passengers. They told Naya Daur that they were consistently in contact with the Pakistani consulate in Turkey, but the authorities were not doing something substantial but only giving verbal assurances.
Muhammad Farhan, a Pakistani tourist stranded in Istanbul, said: “I fear that long stay in Istanbul can put me into a financial trouble as I have to pay extra hotel rent and manage all my other living expenses.”
Another Pakistani said that Istanbul was partially locked down due to coronavirus and he had no idea about when things would return to normal. He said that around 200 people including elderly people, women, and children were stranded in Turkey’s capital.
Muhammad Raza Shah, an intern in Istanbul, said that he had already spent 300$ on accommodation. “Now I don’t have more money to pay my rent and meet other expenses. The hotels here also refuse to accept us as guests,” he added.
Umair Haroon, another stranded passenger said, “I was in Izmir and I came to Istanbul to catch up a flight, but it was cancelled, when Pakistan suspended all international flights.”
When contacted, the Pakistani consulate in Istanbul refused Naya Daur’s request for comment.
Foreign Office (FO) spokesperson Aisha Farooqi, when contacted said that the Pakistani consulate in Istanbul is in regular contact with the stuck passengers in the country. “Turkish government is taking all possible measures to ensure safe stay of all passengers during this suspension period of flight operations,” she added. She further said that the consulate will pay all expenses of the passengers stay during that period.