Six Pakistani seamen stranded at Egyptian port, seek government's help

WEB DESK: As many as six Pakistani seamen have been left helpless at Egyptian Port Safaga since six months, it was learnt in a video message sent to ARY NEWS.

In a video message, Seaman Zia said that they are compelled to live in dreadful conditions due to nonpayment of salaries to them since two months, as the owner of the ship and Egyptian Navy have a conflict over payments.

Zia added that they were kept in the dark about the ongoing payment issues at the time of their departure from Pakistan.

“The Pakistan embassy is also not paying heed to our plight”, Zia contented. He appealed the Government of Pakistan to take immediate steps for their return to home.

Earlier in month of August this year, around 214 Pakistani passengers stranded at Guangzhou Airport were rescued for home via a special flight of Shaheen Airline.

The Shaheen Airline International (SAI) flights from Guangzhou to Lahore due for 29th July, 2nd and 5th August were cancelled due to technical problems in their aircraft. As a result, a large number of Pakistani passengers were stranded at Guangzhou Airport.

Most of the passengers of July 29 flight had opted for full refund and took other commercial flights, however some passengers decided to wait for the next SAI flight.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, our Embassy in Beijing and Consulate General in Guangzhou played an active role in resolving this crisis. As soon as news of cancellation of flight was received, our Consulate established contact with the passengers and Shaheen Airline officials,” the Foreign Office said in a statement.

“Our Consulate ensured the well-being of the passengers. They were lodged in Hotel Holiday Villa near Airport and provided with halal food. The Consulate General of Pakistan Guangzhou, through local Foreign Affairs office and Public Safety Bureau ensured that all those passengers whose visas were expired due to cancellation of flights did not face any problem. Itinerary and accurate information was regularly shared with the media,” said the Foreign Office .