PM Nawaz directs two PIA planes to evacuate Pakistanis from Yemen
Islamabad (Web Desk): On the directions of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif a comprehensive plan was devised on Saturday for the evacuation of Pakistanis stranded in Yemen.
Pakistan International Airlines has arranged two airplanes which are ready for departure as soon as they receive clearance from aviation authorities and the Embassy of Pakistan in Sanaa.
As state system is collapsing in the war-torn country, most airports are no more functional, because of which some families would also be safely taken, in the form of convoys, to Yemen’s neighbouring countries and airlifted to Pakistan from there.
The premier further directed all concerned departments to take all possible measures for ensuring safety of each and every member of the Pakistani community living in Yemen.
The Prime Minister is himself monitoring the situation and has asked to be kept updated on an hourly basis.
According to unofficial estimates, 560 Pakistanis are stranded in the besieged Yemeni capital of Sanaa. Pakistan’s foreign ministry officials say around 2,145 Pakistanis are currently living in Yemen.
Earlier, the Foreign Office said every effort is being made for the safe evacuation of Pakistanis from Yemen, as the second day of Saudi-led airstrikes in the area continues.
Taking to social networking site Twitter, Foreign Office spokesperson Tasnim Aslam said evacuation of Pakistani citizens is a priority but airports in Yemen are closed and the ground routes are not safe.
Priority: safe exit of our citizens from Yemen. Problem: main airports dysfunctional; land routes to operating airports and sea unsafe.
— SpokespersonMOFA (@ForeignOfficePk) March 28, 2015
However, all possibilities are being reviewed in order to ensure safe exit of Pakistanis.
“We are in contact with them for possible joint movement of people in convoys under security.”
Options:citizens of many countries are stranded. We are in contact with them for possible joint movement of people in convoys under security
— SpokespersonMOFA (@ForeignOfficePk) March 28, 2015
Aslam further said, Pakistan is in contact with the neighboring countries of Yemen for evacuation of Pakistanis there without visa by any ‘safe means’.
We are also in contact with all neighbouring countries of Yemen for evacuation of Pakistanis there without visa by any safe means
— SpokespersonMOFA (@ForeignOfficePk) March 28, 2015
Further, the prime minister’s top aide Sartaj Aziz said, “Withdrawal of Pakistanis from Yemen will begin in next 24 hours.”
Aziz further said, there are around 3,000 Pakistanis currently in Yemen.
An account officer at a Pakistani school in Sanaa, Waheed Rehman speaking to Express News said, “People have started gathering at the school.”
“The Pakistan embassy has started devising a plan for the evacuation,” he added.
On Friday, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif ordered the immediate evacuation of stranded Pakistanis from Yemen.
The decision was taken following air strikes carried out by Saudi Arabia on Wednesday against Huthi rebels in Yemen.
The prime minister instructed the relevant authorities that steps should be taken on war footing for the safety and early return of Pakistanis stranded in Yemen.
