LAHORE: The first batch of 41 Pakistanis stranded in India since the start of the lockdown last month crossed the Wagah Border on Thursday.

Pakistan and India had closed the border crossing points as part of efforts to check the spread of coronavirus. India went into lockdown on March 14, which caused a lot of inconvenience to some 186 Pakistanis who were there in Agra, UP, Haryana, Delhi and Mumbai mainly on medical and religious grounds, with some visiting their relatives. Pakistan closed the border on March 19.

The Indian government, on the request of the Pakistan High Commission, extended visas of all Pakistanis who were told to apply for extension online.

The Pakistani High Commission in India said it was in contact with the Indian authorities to bring another 145 citizens back to Pakistan.

Those who returned were reportedly quarantined in various cities in India. Before their entry into Pakistan, they were screened at Attari, the Indian side at the border. According to Indian media, none of them was symptomatic.

Punjab Rangers shifted them to the Thokar Niaz Baig quarantine center after taking their samples at the boarder. Their results were expected in 24 hours. Seven of them were shifted to the Jinnah Hospital since they had traveled to India for medical purpose.

In a video message, the returnees thanked both Indian and Pakistani governments for ensuring their return to their home country.

Ahsan Rehan, a Pakistani American, said he went to visit his ancestral village in Gurdaspur on March 12 after crossing Wagah border and he had to return to Pakistan on March 18. “I will appeal to all the Pakistanis stranded in India to remain confined to their places and remain in contact with the Pakistan High Commission,” he said.

Another Pakistani, Amtal Basit, in her video message also thanked both the governments for her safe return, and appealed to others stranded in India to follow the government’s directives.

According to Indian media, some 200 Indians, including Kashmiri students, are stranded in Pakistan and await a response from the Indian High Commission.

Published in Dawn, April 17th, 2020