August 31, 2012 (TSR) – Stranded international tourists, for the first time in the history of the country, staged a protest demonstration in Skardu city of Pakistan. They demanded immediate evacuation of the international tourists from the region.

According to detail more than 83 foreign tourists hailing from Spain, Korea,  China, Italy and other western countries gathered Sunday morning outside the office of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and chanted slogans against the non-confirmation of their tickets.

Talking to media international tourists said, “We are stranded in Skardu for the last eleven days due to closure of roads and air service to the region but nobody here takes any notice of the situation. We want to get out of here as soon as possible but there is no way we can make it out to the capital of Pakistan”

The foreigners demanded the government to arrange special flights for their immediate departure to Islamabad so that they can make their arrangements to get out of the country.

On the other hand, hundreds of overseas Pakistani students were reported to be stranded in Skardu, Hunza and Gilgit city. International students who are in Pakistan for summer vacation are currently stranded in the region due to stoppage of transportation to Gilgit-Baltistan.

Students in Gilgit told that the situation of transportation was worse than what it appeared. The government of Syed Mehdi Shah had promised to make arrangements for extra flights of C-130.That big-talk, however, punctured when the C-130 stopped service after just two flights. The two C-130 flights allegedly transported passengers who either proved political affiliation to the PPP government or were from the burger-families.

International Students in the region are planning to write to foreign embassies to nudge the government of Pakistan to help them.

“I have paid thousands of pounds to University in UK and I am stranded here. I am losing my money and time here. Our country is not ready to make arrangements for our travel. I request to government to start the C-130 flights for students in Gilgit and Skardu. I also request to the UK embassy in Pakistan to ask the government help the stranded people in Gilgit-Baltistan” an overseas student told on the condition of anonymity.

“Any moment the public spares to gasp, GB’s Mehdi Shah and Rehman Malik of Pakistan garnish the media reports with conspiracy theories. What conspiracy theory of Great Game would you believe if the country cannot provide transportation to its public?’’, an angry student in Gilgit said.

Several students who are studying in North America, Australia and Europe are getting late for their classes for the fact they are trapped in Gilgit-Baltistan.

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