ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly was informed on Friday that seven thousand stranded Pakistanis would be brought back home before Eid.

This was informed by Minister for Aviation Division Ghulam Sarwar Khan, while responding to various points raised by the parliamentarians.

He said thousands of stranded Pakistanis, including students, workers, members of religious organisations, and pilgrims, from across the globe have been repatriated. He said Pakistani prisoners from Oman and the United Arab Emirates were brought back free of cost.

He said Aviation Division operated 181 inbound flights and took over 25,000 passengers to their destinations in 27 countries. He said around 250 students from Wuhan and China will be repatriated through special flight on Monday.

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Taking part in the discussion, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader Amir Dogar said the government should announce support prices for agricultural produce. He said seeds and fertilizers should be provided on subsidized rates. He said giving priority to agriculture is vital to uplift economy of the country.

Amir Dogar said health workers and members of district administrations, who are on the forefront in dealing with the Coronavirus pandemic, should be awarded civil awards.

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leader Ahsan Iqbal said serious and collective efforts are needed to prevent spread of the Coronavirus. He said the government should have evolved a comprehensive policy to combat COVID-19. He said absence of ministers from the House shows lack of seriousness among government ranks to prevent the pandemic. He said chartered planes should be dispatched to repatriate stranded Pakistanis from various countries.

Ahsan Iqbal proposed that local governments in Punjab should immediately be restored and the federal government should declare education emergency, reduce petroleum, electricity, and gas prices to provide relief to the common people in wake of COVID-19. He said the government should refrain from indulging in unnecessary debates on topics like 18th Amendment and National Finance Commission award.

Earlier, National Assembly resumed its session at the Parliament House in Islamabad on Friday with Presiding Officer Amjad Ali Khan Niazi in the chair.

It is discussing the situation arising out of COVID-19 pandemic.

The session is being held under strict adherence of health guidelines and standard operating procedures to ensure safety of the members and the Assembly staff.