ISLAMABAD, Dec 13 (APP): On the directions of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, a chartered plane carrying 318 Pakistani nationals who were repatriated from Syria to Beirut, Lebanon a day earlier, landed here early Friday.
Federal Minister for Planning and Special Initiatives Dr Ahsan Iqbal and Chairman National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Lt. Gen. Inam Haider Malik received the repatriated nationals at the Islamabad International Airport.
Under the personal supervision of PM Sharif, the comprehensive plan for the safe evacuation of Pakistani citizens was carried out by NDMA in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA).
In a statement, the prime minister said the safe return of Pakistani nationals from Syria was a top priority of the government.
He appreciated the prompt action taken by MoFA, the Pakistani embassies in Syria and Lebanon, and the NDMA authorities in ensuring the safe return of Pakistani citizens.
He also expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister of Lebanon, Najib Mikati, whose government provided all possible cooperation and assistance for the return of Pakistanis via Beirut. The Lebanese government also arranged buses for the transfer of passengers.
PM Sharif also directed the authorities concerned to continue taking immediate steps to evacuate more Pakistani citizens from Syria.
The Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis has set up a special desk at the airport to facilitate the returning Pakistani citizens, besides providing them with transport facility to take them.
Speaking on the occasion, Ahsan Iqbal said the evacuation of Pakistani citizens via Beirut was made possible by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s tireless efforts, which included daily review meetings for the evacuation of Pakistanis stranded in Syria.
He said that the prime minister also spoke with the Prime Minister of Lebanon to facilitate the evacuation, while Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar contacted the Turkish Foreign Minister for the purpose.
Following the prime minister’s directives for the early and safe evacuation of the stranded Pakistanis, a plan of action had been formulated on an emergency basis as he had directed the relevant authorities to utilize all available resources for the purpose.
The minister said all possible steps were being taken for the safe evacuation of Pakistanis from Syria, adding that the protection of the lives and property of Pakistanis in Syria was the government’s priority.
He informed the media that the an information desk and a helpline had also been set up at the Pakistani Embassy in Damascus. Additionally, the crisis management unit and the embassy’s information desk will remain active round the clock until the law and order situation improves there.
“These all-out arrangements and facilitation show that the government will never leave the Pakistani citizens alone wherever they are in trouble. We share the joys and sorrows of our countrymen,” Ahsan Iqbal remarked.
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