Islamabad: Ahmad Farooq has urged Pakistani expatriates living in Saudi Arabia to remain calm and strictly follow local laws amid the ongoing tensions in the Gulf region. He also announced that facilitation teams have been deployed at Saudi airports to assist Pakistani passengers affected by flight disruptions.
In a video message shared by the Embassy of Pakistan in Saudi Arabia, the ambassador advised Pakistanis not to spread or believe rumors and to maintain discipline during the current situation.
Air travel across the region has faced serious disruption since February 28 following escalating hostilities involving Iran, the United States and Israel. Several countries temporarily closed their airspace, forcing airlines to cancel or reroute many international flights.
According to Radio Pakistan, the disruption has particularly affected Pakistani Umrah pilgrims and other travelers in western parts of Saudi Arabia.
Farooq said Pakistani diplomatic missions were closely monitoring the situation and had stationed teams at major airports in Saudi Arabia to assist passengers with accommodation, food, medicines and the rebooking of flights.
He also advised citizens facing difficulties to contact the Pakistani embassy in Riyadh or the Consulate General of Pakistan in Jeddah through emergency helplines for assistance.
In addition to airport support, Pakistani teams have also been deployed in border regions to help stranded citizens travel to nearby cities and eventually return to Pakistan.
Flight disruptions have affected key regional aviation hubs including Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha, where airlines such as Emirates, Etihad Airways and Qatar Airways normally handle large numbers of passengers every day.
Experts say the duration of the conflict and resulting aviation disruptions will determine the wider impact on airlines, airports and other sectors linked to regional travel.
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