ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Ahmad Farooq has urged the country’s expatriates residing in the Kingdom to respect local laws amid tensions in the Gulf region, announcing that Islamabad has set up teams to assist Pakistani passengers suffering from flight disruptions at various airports in Saudi Arabia.
Passengers around the world have suffered flight delays and disruptions after several regional countries shut down their airspace when Iran launched strikes against US bases in the Gulf. The conflict has affected key air corridors and forced airlines to cancel or reroute thousands of flights. Hundreds of international and domestic flights have also been canceled in Pakistan since the latest conflict in the Middle East began on Feb. 28, with most of them scheduled to fly between the South Asian country and destinations in the Middle East.
State broadcaster Radio Pakistan reported on Sunday that the war has disrupted air travel, particularly for Pakistani Umrah pilgrims and other passengers in the western regions of Saudi Arabia.
“I would like to request you all that under the current circumstances, please remain calm and show discipline,” Farooq said in a video message released by the Pakistan Embassy in Saudi Arabia on Sunday. “Respect local laws and do not believe rumors of any sort.”
