After the United Arab Emirates threatened to review labor ties with countries refusing to repatriate their citizens, thousands of stranded Pakistanis are now beginning to return home on special repatriation flights.
The first flight carrying more than 200 Pakistanis left for Islamabad on Saturday, the Pakistani Consulate in Dubai announced on Twitter. Citizens will return home on 20 special flights during a third phase of repatriations beginning Monday, said Pakistan Foreign Ministry spokesperson Aisha Farooqui.
