The Pakistani Consulate swung into action on Wednesday following Makkah governor's confirmation that Haj and Umrah overstayers would be allowed to leave the Kingdom after recording their biometrics.

“We helped with the fingerprinting and paperwork processing of almost 150 people who had overstayed their Umrah or Haj visas at the Shumaisy deportation center. We provided them with food and facilities,” said Aftab Khokher, Pakistan’s consul general.

He also said that “huroob” cases (workers who ran away from their sponsors) would only be cleared for final exit after the worker pays a fine.

“There are very clear procedures in place now. We request our community to follow up on procedures and to adhere to the law,” he said.

Khokher said that the consulate would help repatriate 5,000 to 6,000 Pakistani workers of different categories who want to go back home.

“If we can help 200 people per day, I think that the entire process would not take more than 20 to 25 days,” he said.

“We received a call from the ministry that our people were sitting outside the deportation center. We proceeded immediately to the scene,” he said.