Talking to SBS Urdu, Australian citizen Sana Riaz bursts into tears, “I just want to go back home.”
Sana Riaz is stranded in Pakistan with her two daughters, aged 3 years and 9 months. A financial controller in one of the large corporates in Sydney, she came to Lahore city to meet her family on maternity leave.
“I am in Pakistan with my two daughters while my husband is in Australia. My daughter is an eczema patient and her prescribed treatment cream is developed via a pharmacy in Australia.
“I have had enough supply for the trip, but it is running out fast and is only for a few more days.”
Highlights
- Many Australians stranded in Pakistan urge government to bring them back home
- Pakistan travel ban to continue till 1st week of April
- Smartraveller website advises individuals to book flights immediately or stays safe where they are
“My home is in Australia and we want to be back home with my husband,” Sana said.
“My daughter is also allergic to dairy products and only drinks soy-based milk which is hard to find here."
Australian citizen Haroon Malik is in Lahore with his wife and child, sitting idle in the midst of a complete lockdown in the city to stop the Covid-19 spread.
Virgin Australia has announced it is standing down around 8,000 of its 10,000 workers and will be cutting its domestic capacity by 90 per cent. Source: AAP
His flight was cancelled at the last moment after restrictions on travel started to take place last week Friday.
“We tried to change our flight to return to Australia but all of them were cancelled.
“Now I am stuck here; I don’t know what to do next. I am simply looking forward to the Australian government to help us get out of here.
“I contacted the Australian High Commission in Islamabad. They have told us to stay where I am and follow the government policies of Pakistan."
There is an underlying panic in the community [due to the virus outbreak] in Pakistan. I am very stressed of not being able to come back home.
People line up to receive free food distributed by Saylani Welfare Trust during complete lockdown of Sindh province, in Karachi, Pakistan, 26 March 2020. Source: EPA/SHAHZAIB AKBER
On 25th March 2020, a joint media by Senator Marise Payne, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Michael McCormack MP, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Infrastructure and Transport said that there have been rapid reductions in commercial flight options, including flight cancellations with little or no notice and increased restrictions on travel and transit.
“Many countries are closing their borders and restricting internal movement.
“Limited commercial flights are still operating from some countries and cities but we are aware that in many countries they are no longer an option.
We urge Australians who do have access to these opportunities to act quickly.
Pakistani Christians clean there hands with sanitizer to protect from Corona virus before praying at St. Johns cathedral church in Peshawer. Source: AAP Image/Hussain Ali/Pacific Press/Sipa USA
She is currently in Lahore, which is in lockdown due to the Covid-19 outbreak.
“The Coronavirus cases in Pakistan are increasing every day and forecasts point upwards too.
It is not easy to survive in this situation, especially with kids.
Pakistan death toll from Covid-19 rises to 14
Lockdown in all the major cities and provinces continue in Pakistan to stop the spread of Covid-19 with confirmed cases almost touching the 1,600 mark.
The government banned all the international flights to and from the country from 21st March making it impossible for Australians to leave Pakistan.
Special Assistant to Pakistan's Prime Minister for Overseas Pakistanis, Sayed Bukhari said that the government of Pakistan has decided to suspend all flights.
"All commercial, private & chartered flight operations are suspended effective from today for 2 x weeks. This step is for the safety of our people; that is our top priority."
The Australian High Commissioner in Pakistan, Dr Geoffrey Shaw says it is a “worrying” and “stressful” time, in a recent video message posted on Twitter.
Workers spray disinfectant in Bara Kaho locality where number of coronavirus infected patients are in large number, during a lockdown of capital Islamabad. Source: EPA/SOHAIL SHAHZAD
“Pakistan like Australia and the rest of the world is currently struggling to deal with the Coronavirus. Let me encourage you to protect yourself and your family by washing your hands regularly and exercising social distancing.
“For Australians trying to get home it is particularly difficult, but I encourage you not to delay if you can get a seat on a flight, please do so." In his latest tweet, Dr Geoffrey advised stranded Australians to check with available flight options.
But it is not just the Australian citizens, families on PR (permanent residency) status who call Australian home are stranded too.
Viqash Advani was leaving Pakistan on the 30th March but he too with his wife is stuck in Karachi.
“The moment I got the news about border closure, I booked the flight for 24th March to Australia. I got the booking but moment later, I got the notification from the airlines that the flight was cancelled."
Viqash works in an IT firm in Sydney and is concerned a long break might affect his professional career.
“I have to join back as soon as possible. The work-from-home option is there but only if I am working in Australia. I have my home in Australia and have to continue my life; I will be more safe and secure there.”
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Afaf Waris with her two children and husband was affected by the travel ban in Pakistan.
“Our flight was on 22nd March and just 8 hours away when the local ban was imposed without any grace period.
“We are concerned about how to go back as our jobs are at stake. We have rents & utilities to pay.
We request a subsidy by the authorities to travel back to Australia or arrange a chartered plane to send us back home. Our family's future depends on this.
“We only have one request for Pakistani and Australian governments that is to make arrangements for us to travel with reasonable ticket prices.
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Sheema is currently in Lahore with her children and came to Pakistan to visit her family.
“We came on a family visit here; my husband was supposed to join us later in April and our plan was to return back to Australia together. But due to the travel bans and restrictions the situation has completely changed.
“He is not coming to Pakistan and we plan to stay here and wait till the virus issue is over. My husband’s work is based in Sydney and he is continuing there.
“We will return home in Australia only when the situation is better.”
People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others and gatherings are limited to two people unless you are with your family or household.
If you believe you may have contracted the virus, call your doctor (don’t visit) or contact the national Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080.
If you are struggling to breathe or experiencing a medical emergency, call 000.
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