A team of 21 people who flew to Thailand for Mohib Mirza's directorial debut is stuck in Thailand post pack-up since February.
The cast and crew members of Ishrat Made in China which include actors Sanam Saeed, Sarah Loren, Mohib Mirza, Shamoon Abbasi and Imam Said have not been able to get back to Pakistan due to the rapid outbreak of coronavirus.
The government did announce that they would start a week-long repatriation flight programme from Saturday for bringing back nationals stranded overseas because of disruption of flights and tightening of travel restrictions. However, the list of countries mentioned did not include Thailand.
"From the flights on April 3-11, Bangkok is not on the list so we are officially stuck here until the embassy sorts out a flight. We're in touch with the ambassador," explained Sanam. "They are collecting a list of all Pakistanis stuck in Thailand and when the number is significant enough, they will fly us all back home. Apparently, the number has reached 100 or so already."
"Meanwhile, the cast and crew are safe and in self-isolation at our hotel. But resources are running out," she continued.
In a video sent to Images, Shamoon Abbasi explained the tremulous situation, assuring the audience that the team is willing to take all necessary precautions as soon as they land back.
"We request the Foreign Ministry Office, Prime Minister Imran Khan, Shah Mehmood Qureshi and Asad Umer to please focus on bringing us back home, or create a way through which we can travel safely."
"We want to come back. Regardless of what the situation is, it is our country - our families are there.”
“I speak on behalf of the other 100 Pakistani's stuck here too. Please help us out," he appealed.
"The actors and crew are extremely worried about their families; people in our homes are also worried about us. If they close airports in Thailand, we will be stuck here for an infinite amount of uncertain time."
"I request Mr. Imran Khan that we are assets of your country, we work for the country. Please be kind enough to help us in this troubling situation," he said.
Mohib also shared a message on Instagram, requesting the authorities to take note and prioritise their case.
He revealed, "My location right now is Kanchanaburi, which is three and a half hours away from Bangkok. Ever since we've wrapped up the shooting, we've been waiting to return home but due to the coronavirus situation, we're stranded at a hotel just waiting. This is my appeal to the civil aviation, government of Pakistan, Ministry of Foreign Affairs..."
"After a certain point, accommodating 21 people at a hotel for so long and surviving has become difficult. Please make some special arrangements and get us out of here. We've taken the necessary precautionary protocols here and whatever is required after coming back to Pakistan, we'll obviously do that as well.
