Pakistan consulate in Dubai shuts over coronavirus fears

• All services in the Consulate General of Pakistan will remain suspended till the next notification.

Amid the growing spread of coronavirus cases in the United Arab Emirates, the Consulate General of Pakistan in Dubai has announced to shut services for two weeks.

The decision announced by Ahmed Amjad Ali, consul-general of Pakistan in Dubai, the suspension is part of measures taken to curb the spread of COVID-19. In the meantime, the consulate will remain open for emergency services only.

“All Pakistani nationals living in Dubai and the Northern Emirates are informed that all services in the Consulate General of Pakistan will remain suspended till next notification. The Consulate will remain open only for EMERGENCY Services,” said Consulate General of Pakistan, Dubai in a tweet post.

All Pakistani nationals living in Dubai and Northern Emirates are informed that all services in Consulate General of Pakistan will remain suspended till next notification. The Consulate will remain open only for EMERGENCY Services.

— Consulate General of Pakistan, Dubai (@ParepDubai) March 23, 2020

"We handle up to 1,200 visitors daily at the consulate. However, we have no choice under the circumstances but to suspend the services except emergency ones at the consulate for the safety of public," said Ahmed, quoted Khaleej Times. It may be mentioned here that millions of Pakistani expats reside in the Emirates for employment and business purposes.

Over 380,000 cases of coronavirus have been reported in over 190 countries around the world, the virus that to date has not found any cure has claimed over 16,500 lives, with countries like China, Italy, Spain, and Iran among the worst hit.