An estimated 11,000 Pakistani illegal workers registered with the consulate, according to consulate officials.

Pakistan Consul General Aftab Khokhar on Thursday urged Pakistani illegal workers to avail themselves of the grace period announced by the Saudi government and avoid getting into worse trouble later.

The Pakistan Consulate has put up a notice board to update its workers on the latest developments and formed a special cell where Press Consul Suhail Ali Khan, two officers from the welfare section and Vice Consul Imran Siddique help illegal workers. The consulate has also hired extra staff to work at the Labor Department and Tarheel to help the Pakistani community.

“The consulate is giving out passes to those who want to go back,” Khokhar said. “Those who came before 2008 on Umrah can legalize themselves, but those who came after July 2008 have no choice but to go back.”

He also said the consulate has received 6,000 passports of workers reported by their sponsors as absconders and has put a list of the passport numbers of such workers on the consulate’s website.

“We put the list for anyone who thinks his passport should be on the list,” he said. “A worker can bring the serial number, name, identification card number, father’s name and anything to prove that the passport belongs to him.”

Khokhar also said those who want to transfer their iqama must bring a letter from their sponsor and submit their transfer applications with the agent of the new sponsor at the labor office. They can use their original passports or a copy.

“If they don’t have passports for any reason, we will provide them with new passports,” he said “The government discourages individuals to go to Labor Office. They have to submit their application through the sponsor's agent.”

Forty-four Riyadh companies and 19 Jeddah firms have contacted the Pakistan Embassy and Consulate showing their interest in bringing Pakistani workers under their sponsorship.

Khokhar also said that the consulate discussed with Pakistan International Airline, Shaheen airline and Air Arabia the possibility of a fare discount to facilitate the return workers.

“We are in the process of negotiating with other airlines but PIA is our priority and they can accommodate from 100 to 150 people per flight, and I am sure they will offer something good to such workers,” he said.