BADIN: Concerned parents of students pursuing studies in different universities and colleges near Wuhan, China, have demanded the federal government arrange safe return of their loved ones who have been barred from leaving the area at the centre of the coronavirus outbreak.

They said foreign students had been stopped from travelling and advised to stay at hostels and residences where they were also having problems getting safe food and other necessities.

Shabana Qambrani, a resident of Gharibabad in Ward-6, told Dawn on Wednesday that her daughter Dr Kaiful Warah was studying at Medical University in Wuhan where the virus had taken many lives.She said that her daughter had told them her story of utter frustration and helplessness and how she and her colleagues had become mentally drainedlivinginconstantfearofthe virus and without getting any help.

She wanted to return to Pakistan temporarily but she could not move out herself, said Qambrani and demanded the government should ensure safe return of her daughter.

Dr Kirshan Chawla, representative of a consulting firm that arranged for admissions in Chinese universities, said that 35 students from Badin were studying at a number of Chinese varsities. He said the students were all right.

Dr Lachman said that his son Dr Khushhal, cousin Danish, and his sister`s son Madhan studying at a Chinese university were all right but they were warned to be careful of their health.