The 72-hour deadline set by the kingdom on Thursday is due to expire on Sunday at 3pm. The Saudi government had asked its citizens and Iqama holders (residency permit holders) to return to their respective countries as part of preventive measures to stop the spread of coronavirus. According to the official data available with The Express Tribune, 142 special flights were operated between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia since Thursday in which as many as 39,980 passengers from both the countries travelled. On Thursday, Saudi Arabia temporarily suspended travel of citizens and residents and halted flights with several states including Pakistan which also caused passengers to face delay. Oil-rich Saudi Arabia has so far reported 24 additional cases, taking the national total to 86.

Source: The Express Tribune March 14, 2020 16:07 UTC