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DC Islamabad responds to Sanam Saeed's quarantine concerns

DC Islamabad responds to Sanam Saeed's quarantine concerns

"For 2000 passengers, Rs 5000 each was spent on transport, food and rent of hotel. It amounts to Rs 1 crore per day."
Updated 17 Apr, 2020

The Ishrat Made in China cast and crew, made it safely back to Pakistan, but that's where things started getting more difficult for them, so they say.

According to Sanam Saeed and Shamoon Abbasi, the quarantine arrangements have been less than ideal since their return on April 14.

Said Saeed, "Embassy assured people upon arrival that the government will accommodate us free of cost while we wait two days for test and results."

Shamoon Abbasi clarified that "we were told that we will be staying in Ramada hotel (which we didn't ask or demanded)."

Both revealed that they were soon told they would have to stay for a week and must pay for all of it. So far, they have not been tested.

Deputy Commissioner Islamabad Mohammad Hamza Shafqaat has now responded to the statements, telling Dawn that the "actors have not paid a penny" so far.

"For 2000 passengers, Rs 5000 per passenger was spent on transport, food and rent of hotel. It amounts to Rs 1 crore per day."

He said that 30,000 more passengers were expected to come from different countries and that those "stranded were brought and the government paid for them".

The DC also revealed that there are those who are "coming on their own will."

"They signed the forms. They have to pay subsidized rates of food, transport and hotel... They are rich people and they can afford these minor expenses."

He added, "Government can't spend Rs 4 billion for 30,000 passengers. Passengers who are willingly coming from abroad and are paying expensive tickets can at least pay this amount for their own protection and for saving others in Pakistan."

Under a new SOP, passengers opting to be quarantined in hotels will pay for all the expenses while those unable to afford will be shifted to any government facility such as the quarantine centre at Haji camp where their food and accommodation will be free.

Under the new SOP, all positive passengers will be retained at quarantine facility for 14 days until the results of their two consecutive tests separated by a gap of 24 hour come out as negative. However, for many in quarantine, the concern is that they haven't been tested yet.

Comments

M. Saeed Apr 17, 2020 03:42pm
Before anything, all home coming passengers must be tested immediately and further actions initiated in accordance with the test results.
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Alih Apr 17, 2020 03:48pm
You so called celebrities, you belong to a poor country which can not afford these luxuries. You guys earn Millions and can’t pay for your stay and travel? A few thousand rupees will hurt your savings? Are you guys kidding or what? You should be thankful not thankless.
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Ahmed Apr 17, 2020 03:48pm
That amount is far less than what is spent daily on the ministerial rank special advisors to the government about 18 in number that function in addition to the ministers in the cabinet.
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Shazia Apr 17, 2020 04:13pm
These actors can afford, at least they should relieve the state from their expenses, so that state could look after the vulnerable and needy
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Farrukh safdar Apr 17, 2020 04:42pm
Agreed with Govt! Those staying in 5&4 star hotels in quarantine must pay on own and not be burden on Govt. One important thing is that Govt must check if the passenger is Pakistani Tax filer. It can be verified on FBR we site in 5seconds subsequently Govt can share 50% of hotel bill.
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Nayyar Apr 17, 2020 06:18pm
Sanam, having well travelled you are expected to deliver a sensible statement. In contrast, you have come out like an ordinary person with zero exposure. You should have been afront to offer to bear your own expenses and this would have been your contribution to the situation. You have disappointed a big fan of yours.
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Jamal Azfar Khan Apr 17, 2020 06:40pm
Keep it up, DC Saab!
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KAR Apr 17, 2020 06:56pm
DC is correct.
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DW Apr 17, 2020 07:14pm
Why should taxpayers pay for these actors? And Ramada hotel? Seriously!
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Khan Apr 17, 2020 07:18pm
GOVT should have clarified this thing in advance and if somebody is not willing or in position to pay hotel charges, they should have been quarantined in other places run by Govt. Don't make issue of everything
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Shan Apr 17, 2020 08:49pm
I personally know actors they are not rich. Ofcourse they act as if they are rich but these people are just hard working newage workers and live on nominal pays so please don't assume that they are as rich as they are shown on media. They are just doing acting and they are good at it. Thats all. Help them as much as you can.
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Masood, TX. Apr 17, 2020 10:30pm
DC Shafqat, that is a very lenient response on your part. These Multi millionaires coming from overseas should be given 'general accommodation' like everybody else, why are you spending 1 crore/day to accommodate these lechers ? That 1 crore per day can be spent on testing and preventive measures for at least 5000 poor Pakistani patients.
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Zubair Apr 17, 2020 10:47pm
The DC is missing the point! The govt. committed that passengers would be tested within 2 days. But now they are not even being tested after 7 days, it is a complete lack of management from the govt. This failure to realize what is wrong is because undeserving people without any managerial competencies run the show!
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Sukhera Apr 18, 2020 07:04am
Pakistan is a poor country and is having hard time servicing its foreign debts. Why Pakistan govt has to put actors in Ramada hotel and pay for food and lodging. These are rich people.This is not fair for people who have lost jobs and have no food. They should be thankful to the govt for arranging their transportation but they must pay for transportation, staying in a hotel and for food. If they have a separate room in their home, they can self isolate to protect themselves and others.
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Ali Apr 18, 2020 08:43am
Wealthy passengers must pay their Quarantine expenses; government must focus on poor. Never Never pay for wealthy
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Mrs.khalil Apr 19, 2020 07:35am
They opted for five star hotel instead of government quarantine facility, does Thailand provide them free hotel, breaking laws by elites is a common fashion in Pakistan.if they are not paying , money should be recovered from the concerned officials , who gave them waiver
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