ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Friday sought a report from the federal government about the policy for evacuating Pakistani students stranded in China till March 20.
The hearing on a petition, filed for evacuation of Pakistani students stranded in coronavirus epicentre Wuhan, was resumed by IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah.
At the outset of the hearing, the assistant attorney general briefed the court that the issue was being tabled before the federal cabinet and it was likely that President Arif Alvi will visit China in this regard.
The court was also informed that the Foreign Office (FO) was sending money to all students stranded in China.
The FO director general (DG) briefed the court that decision for evacuating such students was being discussed in cabinet meeting and a decision will be taken shortly in this regard.
The petitioner’s counsel pleaded that the court had already sought progress report of cabinet’s decision which has not yet been submitted against which the CJ remarked that cabinet’s intention in the matter cannot be doubted.
Parents present during the hearing pleaded that their patience was running out and the court should give clear directions to bring back their children from China.
They pointed out that pilgrims from Iran have been brought back but their children were still in China even though no one had yet been tested positive with coronavirus.
The court ordered the federal cabinet to inform it about the policy for evacuating Pakistani students from China within a week and adjourned the hearing till March 20.
