Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Glasgow Live
Glasgow Live
National
Craig Williams

Glasgow family stranded in Pakistan say they have been 'abandoned' by UK Government

A man from Glasgow says that he and his family have been "abandoned" by the UK Government after being stranded in Pakistan amid their coronavirus lockdown.

Awais Islam, from Pollok, went to Pakistan for a family holiday for three weeks at the start of March with his wife and two children, and they were meant to return to Glasgow on March 23.

But the night before their flight home, Pakistan announced it was going into full lockdown and closing off its airspace.

Speaking to Glasgow Live , Awais said: "We've been stranded here with no hope of returning soon. The Pakistani Government keep extending the closure of international flights.

"We tried booking with Pakistan International Airlines but they were charging crazy prices of over £5000 for me my wife and two kids who are five and two.

"I'm also worried about my father-in-law, who is type-2 diabetic and has ran out of medicine.

"We booked on to an Emirates flight to return on May 3 but that has also been cancelled".

And 27-year-old Awais, who works as a private hire taxi driver, feels like he and his family have been "abandoned" by both the British and Pakistani government.

"We feel abandoned by both governments. We are stressed out our nut!

"All we want do is get home. We can't get anyone to send us money. There is no access to any money as everything is closed.

"The temperature is rising daily also. I'm scared for my family and I don't know if I will have anything to return to."

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.