Pakistan diplomats hopeful UAE flight ban lifts soon as thousands look to return


Sarwat Nasir
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Pakistani diplomats said they were hopeful a ban on flights to the UAE will be lifted soon.

The consulate general in Dubai said it is in talks with UAE officials to allow thousands of Pakistani expats to return to the Emirates.

Flights from Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, were suspended earlier this month. Those countries have all reported cases of the Indian double variant.

A representative told The National the consulate was hopeful flights "would return to normal" soon.

My husband's job is on the line and we are stressed if our residency visas would expire by the time flights resume

Several Pakistani families who live in the UAE said they are worried that they could lose jobs if they were stranded for a prolonged period.



Hiba Jamal – a Dubai resident for the past seven years – travelled to Pakistan with her husband and four-year-old child for the Eid Al Fitr holidays.

They hope to return to their second home in the UAE, so Ms Jamal can deliver her baby and her husband can resume his job.

"We were all supposed to be back in the UAE before May 22," she told The National.

“My husband also came here to spend Eid with us, but now his job is on the line and we are stressed that our residency visas could expire by the time flights resume.

“There’s a lot of uncertainty and it’s such a traumatic situation. We couldn’t even celebrate Eid.”

Hiba Jamal with her husband and child, who went to Pakistan for the Eid Al Fitr holidays and are now stranded. Courtesy: Jamal family
Hiba Jamal with her husband and child, who went to Pakistan for the Eid Al Fitr holidays and are now stranded. Courtesy: Jamal family

Ms Jamal's husband lost his job in Dubai when the pandemic first started. Now the couple fears he will lose his new job as an accountant, because his employer requires him to work from the office.

Rafia Waseem is another resident who flew to Pakistan with her family to spend the Eid holidays there.

“My husband and I flew to Pakistan a few days ahead of Eid, but his boss has texted him to come back as soon as possible,” she said.

Farrah Ali, who has been living in Abu Dhabi for 11 years, travelled to Pakistan with her husband and two children on May 7, after her mother-in-law fell ill.

Her husband works as a banker and cannot work remotely.

“We can stay here, but my husband can’t, as he is the only breadwinner of our family,” Ms Ali said.

“We are trying to get a seat for him so he can go back to the UAE as soon as possible, but flights are suspended.”

More than a million Pakistanis live in the UAE and many went home to spend Eid with their families.

Pakistan, which has a population of more than 220 million, is battling a second wave of the virus. It reported 3,256 new cases and 104 deaths on Wednesday.

Strict measures were put in place across Pakistan ahead of Eid, including a temporary lockdown and reduction of inbound flights by 80 per cent.

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The biog

Favourite hobby: taking his rescue dog, Sally, for long walks.

Favourite book: anything by Stephen King, although he said the films rarely match the quality of the books

Favourite film: The Shawshank Redemption stands out as his favourite movie, a classic King novella

Favourite music: “I have a wide and varied music taste, so it would be unfair to pick a single song from blues to rock as a favourite"

What can you do?

Document everything immediately; including dates, times, locations and witnesses

Seek professional advice from a legal expert

You can report an incident to HR or an immediate supervisor

You can use the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s dedicated hotline

In criminal cases, you can contact the police for additional support

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Our family matters legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

THE SPECS

Range Rover Sport Autobiography Dynamic

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Transmission: six-speed manual

Power: 518bhp

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COMPANY PROFILE

Name: Xpanceo

Started: 2018

Founders: Roman Axelrod, Valentyn Volkov

Based: Dubai, UAE

Industry: Smart contact lenses, augmented/virtual reality

Funding: $40 million

Investor: Opportunity Venture (Asia)

Chelsea 2 Burnley 3
Chelsea
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Burnley Vokes (24', 43'), Ward (39')
Red cards Cahill, Fabregas (Chelsea)

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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The low down on MPS

What is myofascial pain syndrome?

Myofascial pain syndrome refers to pain and inflammation in the body’s soft tissue. MPS is a chronic condition that affects the fascia (­connective tissue that covers the muscles, which develops knots, also known as trigger points).

What are trigger points?

Trigger points are irritable knots in the soft ­tissue that covers muscle tissue. Through injury or overuse, muscle fibres contract as a reactive and protective measure, creating tension in the form of hard and, palpable nodules. Overuse and ­sustained posture are the main culprits in developing ­trigger points.

What is myofascial or trigger-point release?

Releasing these nodules requires a hands-on technique that involves applying gentle ­sustained pressure to release muscular shortness and tightness. This eliminates restrictions in ­connective tissue in orderto restore motion and alleviate pain. ­Therapy balls have proven effective at causing enough commotion in the tissue, prompting the release of these hard knots.

Milestones on the road to union

1970

October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar. 

December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.

1971

March 1:  Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.

July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.

July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.

August 6:  The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.

August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.

September 3: Qatar becomes independent.

November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.

November 29:  At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.

November 30: Despite  a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa. 

November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties

December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.

December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.

December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.

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Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

MATCH STATS

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Man of the match: Emi Martinez (Aston Villa)

A little about CVRL

Founded in 1985 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, the Central Veterinary Research Laboratory (CVRL) is a government diagnostic centre that provides testing and research facilities to the UAE and neighbouring countries.

One of its main goals is to provide permanent treatment solutions for veterinary related diseases. 

The taxidermy centre was established 12 years ago and is headed by Dr Ulrich Wernery. 

The Limehouse Golem
Director: Juan Carlos Medina
Cast: Olivia Cooke, Bill Nighy, Douglas Booth
Three stars

if you go

The flights

Fly to Rome with Etihad (www.etihad.ae) or Emirates (www.emirates.com) from Dh2,480 return including taxes. The flight takes six hours. Fly from Rome to Trapani with Ryanair (www.ryanair.com) from Dh420 return including taxes. The flight takes one hour 10 minutes. 

The hotels 

The author recommends the following hotels for this itinerary. In Trapani, Ai Lumi (www.ailumi.it); in Marsala, Viacolvento (www.viacolventomarsala.it); and in Marsala Del Vallo, the Meliaresort Dimore Storiche (www.meliaresort.it).