Pakistan’s Response To Inclusion In UK’s Red List

The British government had yesterday imposed a travel ban on Pakistan due to the growing number of coronavirus cases in the country.

After which, the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority put on hold the request of British Airways for more flights. British Airways had sought permission for 10 more flights to Pakistan.

Civil aviation took more precautionary measures on SOPs and did not allow any more flights of the British airline.

Sources said that the request of British Airways for more flights was put on hold, British Airways had sought permission for 10 more flights to Pakistan, 7 flights from the UK to Islamabad and 3 flights from the UK to Lahore.

It is pertinent to mention here that Pakistan International Airlines has increased the number of flights to the UK before April 9 on government directives.

The return of passengers to Pakistan on Easter and Good Friday has become difficult after the UK added Pakistan to the red list.

On the other hand, a statement issued by the PIA spokesperson said that in this situation, fares were being collected from foreign airlines up to Rs 4 lakh.

The spokesman said that on the instructions of the government, PIA increased the number of its flights before April 9.

“With the additional flights, five PIA flights will now depart for the UK from April 4 to 9.”

According to CEO PIA Arshad Malik, the purpose of the additional flights is to ease the problems of migrants and control fares.

“Special instructions have been issued to make it easier for passengers to get tickets.”

According to sources, the CAA informed the Aviation Division about the situation, adding that the precautionary measures are aimed at curbing the spread of coronavirus.

The United Kingdom had included Pakistan in the red list, after which those coming from Pakistan to the UK will have to quarantine in the hotel for 10 days from April 9.

Hotel quarantine costs will be paid by the passengers themselves, the passengers will have to pay around 1700 pounds for the hotel quarantine.

Federal Minister for Planning Asad Omar also questioned whether the decision was based on science or foreign policy? ‘

The UK has decided to add Pakistan to the “red list” of countries that will face travel bans from April 9.

Asad’s criticism comes at a time when the British government’s decision is being questioned. Apart from Pakistani and British leaders, discussions are also underway on social media in this regard.

The British government says the Philippines, Pakistan, Kenya and Bangladesh have been added to the red list to protect their citizens from new strains of the coronavirus.

This debate seems to be gaining momentum not only in Pakistan but also in the United Kingdom.

On Twitter, Naz Shah, a British MP, wrote a letter to British Foreign Secretary Dominic Robb asking why aren’t countries that have significantly more cases, including the South African variant, not on the red list too? Why Pakistan and not France which has 10 times more cases.

Why aren’t countries which have significant more cases, including the South African variant, not on the red list too? Why #Pakistan and not France which has 10 times more cases. I’ve been raising this for weeks and still no answers from @MattHancock or @DominicRaab ? https://t.co/jsq8VsBfU1 pic.twitter.com/fn39l3V6Z1

— Naz Shah MP 💙 (@NazShahBfd) April 2, 2021

Sharing a letter written by Naz Shah, Asad Umar tweeted, “Every country has a right to make decisions to safeguard the health of their citizens. However, the recent decision by the UK govt to add some countries including Pakistan on the red list raises a legitimate question of whether the choice of countries is based on science or foreign policy.”

Note that, the third wave of coronavirus in Pakistan has led to a sharp rise in cases in the country.

In the last 24 hours, 4723 new cases of coronavirus have been reported in Pakistan.

According to figures released by the National Command and Operations Center, 84 people have died in the country in the past 24 hours due to the coronavirus.

According to a report released by the NCOC yesterday, 67 per cent of ventilators were in use in Lahore and Multan, compared to 64 per cent in Islamabad and 60 per cent in Gujranwala.

According to yesterday’s report in Swat, there was a shortage of oxygen beds in Swat, after which the NCOC has directed to provide 594 new oxygen beds today, especially considering the situation in Peshawar and Swat.

If we look at the statistics, the number of daily cases is highest in Punjab province at present and in the last few weeks, this number has been more than two thousand.

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