Key points
- Pakistan PM orders mechanism for swift evacuation of citizens from Syria
- Prime Minister seeks Lebanon’s support for speedy evacuation of Pakistanis through Beirut.
- Pakistan’s Foreign Minister, Turkish counterpart discuss the unfolding situation in Syria
- Assad’s rule ended in Syria
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has 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.
Chairing a meeting in Islamabad on Monday regarding the evacuation of Pakistanis given the current developments in Syria, he said steps must be taken for the safe evacuation of Pakistanis from Syria.
He said the safety and property of Pakistani citizens in Syria is the top priority of the government and all resources should be utilised for this purpose.
The Prime Minister also directed the Pakistani Embassy in Damascus to establish an information desk and a helpline to facilitate Pakistani nations.
He said the Crisis Management Unit of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the information desks in Pakistani embassies in Syria and its neighbouring countries should remain functional round the clock until the security situation improves in the country.
PM seeks Lebanon’s support for evacuation of nationals from Syria
PM Shehbaz Sharif has spoken to his Lebanese counterpart Najib Mikati and sought his intervention and support for the speedy evacuation of Pakistani nationals, stranded in Syria, through 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.
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.
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar had a telephone conversation with his Turkish counterpart about the unfolding situation in Syria, where they discussed the issue of stranded Pakistani nationals.
Earlier, Pakistan’s foreign ministry in a statement said Pakistan has always supported the unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Syria, and there is no change in our principled position.
“Pakistani nationals are safe in Syria and have been advised to exercise caution. The Embassy of Pakistan in Syria is open for support and advice,” the statement said.
It said as the Damascus Airport is closed the embassy remains in contact with stranded Pakistani nationals including pilgrims. “It will facilitate their return once the airport opens,” the foreign ministry statement added.
The Foreign Office (FO) on Friday issued an advisory urging Pakistanis to refrain from travelling to Syria due to “the recent developments and evolving situation” in the country. Pakistani nationals already in Syria were advised to “exercise extreme caution and remain in contact with the Embassy of Pakistan in Damascus.”
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad left office and fled the country after being ousted by Syrian opposition armed groups, who ended the 50-year rule of the al-Assad family. Syria’s army command notified officers that Assad’s rule had ended.
