Mahmood Hasan Saudi Gazette JEDDAH — The Consul General of Pakistan has urged nationals living in the Kingdom without proper paperwork to register with the Pakistani Consulate as early as possible. Addressing a press conference at his office Sunday, Aftab Ahmed Khokher said the consulate has officially opened two desks so illegal residents can come and fill in their forms. This exercise will help the consulate to prepare a database of Pakistanis living in the Kingdom without proper documentation. The consul general said people living in the Kingdom illegally should make the most of the opportunity the Saudi government has provided them and try to correct their status. Although the consulate was collecting data ever since the three-month grace period was announced, it actively started the desks Saturday. These counters gave away more than 1,000 forms on the first day and received 300 filled-out forms. More than 150 forms had been submitted by noon Sunday. The counter will remain open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The form is available online at www.pakconsulatejeddah.gov.pk/images/bphoto.jpg. It can also be obtained, free of cost, from Pakistan Houses in Makkah and Madinah. Once filled out, the forms can be submitted either at the same place or faxed to the consulate at 0096626606275. Khokher said they are trying to fix people at different companies. “We are in touch with at least six companies and we forward relevant people's papers to interested parties willing to hire them.” He said most people are afraid of coming forward and registering with the consulate. “We are here to help the community. We are trying to help those living in the Kingdom illegally and paving the way for a respectable transfer of sponsorship or an exit.” The consulate is trying to prepare data so that it knows who the people are and what they can do, so that diplomats can help them. It is a complete exercise, which the consulate's welfare section has undertaken despite being understaffed. Khokher reiterated the importance of registering with the consulate, saying his office will be helpless if any illegal Pakistani who did not register is detained. Elaborating on the procedure the consulate plans to follow to help illegal residents, Khokher said: “In case of huroob (the term given to those who are deemed to have run away from their sponsor), we will try, with the cooperation of the Saudi authorities, to speak with the sponsor first and try to patch things up. “If that works, fine. If it doesn't, then we will forward his papers to companies we have on board with us and willing to hire them.” Giving a breakdown of cases received so far, Mazharul Haq Kakakhel, consul welfare, said they expect to receive 300 forms a day. “Judging by trend of papers we have received so far, most of the cases we deal with are huroob.” Similar desks are also working in Riyadh. They received around 200 forms on the first day. The consulate is also in talks with major Pakistani restaurants where they hope to distribute forms for community members to collect.
