The act of allowing direct flights from Pakistan to Saudi Arabia is in line with gradual easing of post-COVID-19 travel restrictions imposed by different states. Now, Saudi authorities have lifted a ban on flights from six countries – Pakistan, India, Indonesia, Egypt, Brazil and Vietnam – and passengers from these countries will no longer be required to undergo a 14-day quarantine in a third country. It is a good news for thousands of Pakistanis who have been waiting to travel back to Saudi Arabia. Now, they will be able to depart from the country.
The explosive spread of COVID-19 throughout the world represented a critical challenge for all countries. While stopping the spread of the virus was becoming extremely difficult, countries have to implement strict measures to mitigate its impact. Historical strict control and preventive measures were undertaken including mass lockdown of cities, shutdown of schools and businesses, travel and transportation restrictions. All these extreme measures and massive responses applied with rigorous and innovative approaches have resulted in a dramatic slow spread of the virus and restrictions are being eased on a gradual basis.
Saudi Arabia was among the first countries to implement early and unprecedented precautionary measures to prevent COVID-19 or to mitigate its impact. This was accompanied by a travel ban to all affected countries and putting in place mandatory quarantine for passengers who already arrived from these countries.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia enjoy historical relations. A large number of Pakistanis have been a part of the workforce in Saudi Arabia. Reportedly, the Pakistani workforce contributes $7 billion, or a quarter of the country’s total annual remittances. Most of Pakistanis working in Saudi Arabia are doing blue-collared jobs. Moreover, the Kingdom is also the largest source of foreign remittances for Pakistan. Due to the lack of economic opportunities back home, many Pakistanis travel to the Kingdom to feed their families back in Pakistan. The lifting of a travel ban will ease the difficulties of such Pakistanis who were becoming a burden here.
