Pakistan Ambassador Mohammed Naeem Khan held a meeting with a number of Pakistani journalists on Friday at the premises of the consulate in Jeddah to clarify ambiguities regarding the number of nationals returning to Pakistan and to update them with the latest information on the situation.

Khan refuted the figure of 30,000 Pakistanis being repatriated, which has been carried by some newspapers and TV channels, clarifying that until now, only 16,000 have registered themselves with the country’s consulate and embassy.

“The embassy has issued 3,837 exit passes in Jeddah and almost 2,000 in Riyadh. However, many of these workers are not even certain they want to go back. The figure of 30,000 is baseless. Our expectation is that a large number of our work force will transfer their residency permits to the companies they are working for and legalize their status. We urge them to come forward and register to avail themselves of the amnesty period before the end of July 3,” he said.

The ambassador emphasized: “I want to help my people.”

He further stressed that the priority of the Pakistani diplomatic missions in the Kingdom is to help their nationals regulate their work status, as well as facilitate the transfer of their iqamas to work under new sponsors legally.

“It’s very difficult for Pakistani workers to go back and then try to reapply for work in the Kingdom, as they usually don’t have the means to pay for the expenses. As such, we will strive our best to help them rectify their work status,” he added.

He pointed out that those who came to the Kingdom on Umrah and Haj visas after July 2008 and overstayed their visa durations are recommended to return to Pakistan during the amnesty period after registering their fingerprints to avoid further complications.

Those leaving on a final exit will not be banned from entering the Kingdom on a new visa, but those who have legal cases against them can only leave after settling these matters. If a worker needs an exit pass, the consulate will issue it free of charge, the ambassador asserted.

Khan revealed that the embassy is organizing a job fair in which almost 21 companies will participate and send representatives to interview and meet with potential workers in order to facilitate the process of job-hunting and enable workers to find suitable employment legally.

“There are many companies who need workers. We have compiled a list of such companies at the embassy and consulate,” he added.

“We are ready to help out as much as possible to accommodate our nationals. If workers can find a sponsor on their own that is great. However, if they face any problem, we encourage them to visit us. We urge them not to waste time. We will provide passports to those who need to transfer their sponsorships,” the ambassador added.

Khan held meetings with the governors of all the Kingdom’s provinces and requested them to issue instructions to the labor offices to help facilitate the procedures for Pakistani workers. He also told workers to have faith in the new system, as it will help them in the future.