Evacuation plan for Pakistanis stranded in Syria ordered

ISLAMABAD: In response to the deteriorating security situation in Syria, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed the authorities to formulate an action plan for the safe evacuation of Pakistan stranded in Syria via neighbouring countries.

Charring a high-level meeting on the current situation in Syria, Shehbaz stated that the safety of Pakistani lives and property was the utmost priority.

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He instructed the relevant departments to utilise “all available resources” to work on a solution.    

The PM directed the Pakistani embassy in Damascus to establish an information desk and a helpline to facilitate Pakistanis stranded in Syria.

He also ordered the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ (MOFA) Crisis Management Unit and information desks at Pakistani embassies in Syria and neighbouring countries to remain operational around the clock until security situation improved.

The meeting was attended by senior government officials, including Deputy PM Ishaq Dar, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif, Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Cheema and Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar.  

Citing the tense situation in Syria after the fall of long-reigning President Bashar al-Assad, Shehbaz stated that immediate action was needed to ensure the safe evacuation of Pakistan from the war-torn country.

Shehbaz also spoke with his Lebanese counterpart, Najib Mikati, and sought his personal intervention and support in facilitating the immediate evacuation of Pakistanis stranded in Syria through Beirut.

Mikati assured Shehbaz that Lebanon would wholeheartedly welcome Pakistanis from Syria and extend “all possible support” for their safe return to Pakistan.

The Foreign Office, meanwhile, has stated that Pakistani nationals are “safe” in Soria and have been advised to exercise caution.

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The ministry also activated a Crisis Management Unit to facilitate Pakistanis in the country.