Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): Amid the escalating conflict in West Asia, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab General Secretary and Media In-charge Baltej Pannu on Monday, March 2, 2026, reached out to popular Punjabi singer and actor Ammy Virk to inquire about the safety of his family currently stranded in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). During the telephonic conversation, Pannu extended his support to the artist, stating that the Bhagwant Mann-led government stands firmly with the Virk family during this period of geopolitical uncertainty.
Pannu informed that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is personally monitoring the situation of Punjabis stuck in the Gulf countries and is in constant coordination with the central government to ensure their safe return. The AAP leader emphasized that the state government’s top priority is the security of its citizens abroad and promised that all necessary diplomatic and political channels would be utilized to facilitate the evacuation of those affected by the flight suspensions. “In this difficult time, the Punjab government stands with the Virk family like a rock,” Pannu remarked, adding that the Chief Minister would soon establish direct contact with the Centre to fast-track relief efforts.
Expressing deep concern over the “war-like situation” in the Middle East—triggered by the ongoing strikes involving the US, Israel, and Iran—Pannu called for a swift restoration of peace in the region. He noted that the state is working closely with the Ministry of External Affairs to identify safe transit corridors as flight operations from Dubai and Abu Dhabi begin a cautious, limited resumption. The outreach to Ammy Virk comes as several prominent Punjabi personalities and thousands of expatriates remain caught in the travel chaos resulting from the sudden closure of regional airspaces over the weekend.
