UPDATE (August 9, 2018 at 11.04am CST): As of August 6, all 200 Pakistani nationals formerly stranded in Guangzhou had returned home.
A last-minute flight cancellation from Guangzhou-Baiyun International Airport to Pakistan on July 29 left 260 Pakistani nationals stranded in Guangzhou. The majority have since returned home on alternative flights, with 46 remaining in the country.
Geo News reports that Pakistan's Civil Aviation Authority granted special permission for a Shaheen Air International flight to pick up the remaining passengers, as the airline is currently only allowed to operate Hajj (Mecca pilgrimage) flights, due to an outstanding debt of approximately RMB83 million.
Only 15 of the 46 Pakistanis still in Guangzhou, most of whom are from Pakistan's Chaman District in Balochistan, have expired visas, and Pakistani consulate officials are currently making arrangements for their departure.
It is unclear when the flight will arrive, but consulate representatives have told passengers that the problem will be dealt with quickly, according to Geo News.
Initial reports stated that the original Shaheen Air International flight was canceled after heavy taxes were imposed on the airline by the Chinese government.
Shaheen Air International promised to send additional planes on August 2, and then on August 5 to pick up the passengers, but both flights were subsequently canceled as well.
Meanwhile, those who remain stranded continue to reach out to the Pakistani government for assistance.
Dunya News reported this morning that the Chief Justice of Pakistan has since taken notice of the appeal and requested a response from the secretary of civil aviation, the airline CEO and the foreign secretary and ministry of overseas Pakistanis.
Since the incident began, Chinese authorities have arrested a number of stranded passengers with expired visas.
“We heard that immigration had questioned two Pakistanis after their visas had expired. The Pakistani passengers didn’t even have any money on them. However, they were let go after some time,” said one passenger, identified as Ahmedulla, to Geo News.
The passengers have all been refunded the cost of the flight, but many expressed concern over the higher cost of alternative flights home.
Ahmedulla told Geo News that there was no prior warning about the cancellation.
“So many people, including businessmen, women and students are stuck here. There are also about 10 to 15 families,” he said prior to the departure of many of the stranded passengers, adding, “we are quite helpless.”
[Top image via Wikimedia]
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