The Pakistan embassy in Saudi Arabia stopped distribution of ration among the Pakistani expatriates, saying it was impossible due to the directives issued by the Kingdom’s government.

According to the embassy officials, the staff’s movement had been restricted after the orders were given with an aim to stop the spread of coronavirus. However, they said efforts were being made to improve the situation in coordination with the relevant Saudi departments.

The embassy said the ration distribution would be started again as soon as the state of affairs improved, as it thanked the Pakistanis for extending cooperation in a difficult period.

Meanwhile, a video clip was circulating on social media in which a large crowd of expatriates could be seen in the UAE. A Pakistani official can be heard as saying that ration would be provided to them, but the people responded by chanting that they wanted to fly back home.

It is worth noting that many Pakistanis in the Middle East countries have lost jobs after the lockdown was imposed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

In this connection, Zulfi Bukhari – special assistant to the prime minister – told 24NewsHD anchor Nasim Zehra in her show that 6,515 Pakistanis had lost their jobs in the UAE.