Srinagar, Oct 28:Awami Itihaad Party (AIP) Chief Spokesperson Inam Un Nabi on Wednesday welcomed the response of the Consulate General of India in Jeddah to Baramulla MP Er Rashid’s intervention seeking assistance for Jammu and Kashmir’s Umrah pilgrims stranded in Saudi Arabia due to flight disruptions.
In a letter dated October 22 to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Er Rashid had highlighted the financial hardship and distress faced by the pilgrims and sought arrangements for their safe return, along with food, accommodation and medical assistance until their departure.
Responding to the letter, Consul General Fahad Ahmed Khan Suri said the Consulate was extending all possible assistance to affected Indian nationals. He said 24-hour control rooms had been established in Jeddah and Makkah to facilitate assistance, including food, essential medicines and other immediate requirements, in coordination with Saudi authorities and community organisations.
The Consulate also said it was in regular contact with tour operators, affected pilgrims, airlines and Saudi authorities, including the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, to address difficulties arising from the flight disruptions.
Welcoming the response, Inam said the assistance being provided was encouraging but stressed that the priority should be to ensure the pilgrims’ earliest possible return.
He urged the Ministry of External Affairs, airlines and Saudi authorities to provide clear information about flight arrangements and ensure that no pilgrim was left without food, accommodation or essential medical care while awaiting departure.
Inam called for special attention to elderly pilgrims and those requiring medical assistance, adding that financial hardship should not prevent anyone from accessing essential support.
AIP said it would continue to follow the matter until the stranded pilgrims returned safely to Jammu and Kashmir.
