318 Pakistanis return to Islamabad from war-torn Syria
Special charter flight brings stranded Pakistanis from Beirut; PM praises Lebanese counterpart's cooperation; Pakistan’s embassy in Lebanon leads evacuation operation
Stay tuned with 24 News HD Android App
Under the directives of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, 318 Pakistani citizens stranded in war-torn Syria were successfully evacuated and brought back to Pakistan via a special chartered flight.
According to the 24NewsHD TV channel, the flight, operated by a private Georgian airline, departed from Beirut and landed at Islamabad International Airport on December 13 at 1:15 am.
Pakistan's ambassador to Lebanon, Salman Athar, along with the embassy staff, personally saw off the passengers at Beirut Airport. The evacuees included pilgrims and other citizens caught in Syria amid the ongoing conflict.
Upon their arrival in Islamabad, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, along with officials from the Prime Minister’s Office, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis, and the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), warmly received the returnees.
A special assistance desk was also set up, and refreshments were arranged to ensure the comfort of the passengers.
Out of approximately 2,000 Pakistanis residing in Syria, over 700 are married and living there with their families.
To date, 475 Pakistanis, including 250 visitors and 20 students and teachers, have crossed into Lebanon from Syria.
PM Shehbaz Sharif expressed gratitude to the Lebanese Prime Minister for facilitating the evacuation process.
Reporter: Tayyab Saif