Key Points
- Around 350 Pakistani citizens, including 245 Pakistani pilgrims stranded in Syria, have crossed the Syria-Lebanon border.
- Embassy of Pakistan in Damascus is taking all possible measures to ensure the safe return of Pakistanis from Syria.
- Lebanon will Extend Support for Evacuation of Pakistanis Stranded in Syria
ISLAMABAD: Pakistani officials have said that around 350 Pakistani citizens, including 245 Pakistani pilgrims stranded in Syria, have crossed the Syria-Lebanon border.
Pakistan’s foreign office said in statement that the Embassy of Pakistan in Damascus facilitated the repatriation process.
It added that Deputy Head of Mission Umar Hayat accompanied the Pakistani nationals to the border, where Deputy Head of Mission of Beirut, Nawab Adil, received them in Lebanon.
Around 350 Pakistani nationals including 245 Pakistani Zaireen stranded in Syria have crossed the Syria-Lebanon border. Under the directions of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif @CMShehbaz and Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 the…
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) December 10, 2024
The development comes hours following Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced that the repatriation of expatriates was a top priority for his government.
Earlier on Tuesday, Pakistani cabinet was informed that, out of the 250 Pakistani pilgrims stranded in Syria, 79 had reached Beirut, from there, arrangements were being made to bring them back to Pakistan.
According to a statement issued by the PM office, the meeting was further briefed that staff of the Pakistani embassies in Syria and Lebanon were taking all possible measures to ensure the safe return of Pakistanis from Syria.
Additionally, out of 20 teachers and students in Syria, seven teachers had also reached Beirut.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif yesterday while chairing a meeting on the evacuation of Pakistanis given the current developments in Syria directed the authorities to devise an action plan to ensure the safe and swift evacuation of Pakistani nationals wishing to return from Syria through neighbouring countries.
Lebanon will Extend Support for Evacuation of Pakistanis Stranded in Syria
The PM had also spoken with Lebanese counterpart Najib Mikati to coordinate the return of Pakistanis from Syria via Beirut.
Najib Mikati assured the Prime Minister that Lebanon would welcome Pakistani nationals from Syria and extend all possible support to them in their safe return to Pakistan.
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Shehbaz Sharif while condemning Israel’s military aggression against Lebanon, reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering support for Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
He welcomed the ceasefire agreement for Lebanon and called for a similar ceasefire agreement for the people of Palestine.
Prime Minister said the entire Pakistani nation stood in solidarity with the people of Lebanon during these challenging times.
Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati thanked Shehbaz Sharif for Pakistan’s support and principled position on Israel’s military aggression against Lebanon. He noted that this exemplified the warm and brotherly ties between the two nations.
President Bashar al-Assad fled Syria as an alliance of opposition groups swept into the capital Damascus, ending five decades of rule by his family on Sunday.
