ISLAMABAD, (TLTP): The US Ambassador to Pakistan Paul Wayne Jones Tuesday said that the US Mission is continuously serving the Americans here in the country and is helping them return home.
In a tweet, Jones said, “”We also continue to serve US citizens here in Pakistan, including by helping them return home. If you are a US citizen, remember to register at https://t.co/kgBAXkKp7y to get important updates from us.”
A few hours earlier to the tweet of the ambassador, the US Embassy in Islamabad asked the Americans in Pakistan that the US Mission will close the Traveler Interest Form on Tuesday at 11:59pm (Pakistan Standard Time). In an advisory, the embassy asked the US citizens, “If you are a US citizen or a lawful permanent resident in Pakistan, who wants to return to the US, please ensure you complete the form before it closes.”
It further said, “We will continue to contact those who completed the Trave-ler Interest Form to ensure every seat is full on the US government charter flights departing this week. If you have already submitted a form, do not resubmit one.”
It is a reminder that these flights are US government charter flights to repatriate US citizens and lawful permanent residents to the US. The US citizens and their immediate family members, followed by lawful permanent residents, will receive priority for all flights, said the statement.
The embassy in a health alert said that these flights are for US citizens and lawful permanent residents who have been unable to return to the US because of suspension of international flights from Pakistan. “We are unable to offer flights from Lahore, so the US citizens and lawful permanent residents currently in Punjab should plan to travel to either Islamabad or Karachi for a flight,” said the statement.
It asked the US citizen to remain prepared, saying, “Over the next several days, we will be contacting people who completed our traveler interest form to confirm seats. We need to speak to you directly, so monitor your phone and pick up. If we contact you to offer a seat and you decline, please be prepared to remain in Pakistan indefinitely. The statement asked the US citizens to keep in mind that these flights are not free. “Travelers are required to sign an “Evacuee Manifest and Promissory Note” which will be provided once we confirm your seat. By completing and signing this form, the traveler is agreeing to be added to the official flight manifest as well as agreeing to reimburse the US government for costs associated with the flight. Cost would be approximately $1000 from Karachi and $1450 from Islamabad per person.”
The statement advised the travelers to must make their own way to either Karachi or Islamabad airport. “We are working with Pakistan authorities to try to facilitate access to the airport, but this may not be possible given movement restrictions,” it further said.
The statement said that keeping all health precautions in mind, at the Washington Dulles airport, travelers? will be subject to entry/exit and health requirements.
Similarly at the airport, health screening may be conducted by Pakistani health authorities and any passengers exhibiting fever or flu-like symptoms will be denied boarding, the statement warned the US citizens.
