71 Pakistanis safely evacuated from Lebanon, Syria arrive in Karachi

KARACHI: A special flight carrying 71 Pakistani nationals, evacuated from Lebanon and Syria, arrived safely in Karachi early Wednesday morning. The evacuees included 67 people from Lebanon and four people from Syria.

In a press release issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) on Tuesday, the evacuees, from Lebanon and Syria, had traveled by road to Damascus before being airlifted to Pakistan.

The successful evacuation was facilitated by the Pakistan Embassies in Lebanon and Syria, which ensured seamless security, transport, and food arrangements, the FO statement added.

Upon their arrival, the evacuees from Lebanon received a warm welcome at Karachi Airport from top officials, including Governor Sindh Kamran Tessori, Federal Minister Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, and Sindh Industries Minister Jam Ikramullah Dharejo.

Governor Tessori assured that the government is committed to bringing back all Pakistanis stranded in Lebanon, thanking the embassies for their swift action in facilitating the return of 71 nationals.

He also expressed concern for the Lebanese citizens affected by the Israeli bombings and called for unity among Muslim countries to stop the war imposed on Lebanon.

Federal Minister Siddiqui acknowledged the challenges faced during the evacuation process, praising the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for taking full responsibility for ensuring the safe return of Pakistani nationals. Meanwhile, Minister Dharejo commended the Sindh government’s role in this effort.

This operation is part of the government’s ongoing efforts to repatriate Pakistani citizens amidst escalating regional tensions.

The evacuation was undertaken by Cham Wings, a Syrian airline, using an Airbus A320. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) of Pakistan had approved the special flight, which was expected to bring back Pakistani nationals stranded in Lebanon due to the ongoing conflict.

The arrival of the evacuees comes as a relief, particularly considering the safety concerns for foreign nationals in Southern Beirut, which has been heavily targeted by Israeli airstrikes.

Fortunately, the Pakistani government and authorities took swift action to bring their citizens home, demonstrating their commitment to ensuring the well-being and safety of Pakistani nationals abroad.

Pakistan issues travel advisory for Lebanon

Earlier, Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a travel warning last month, advising citizens to steer clear of Lebanon due to the escalating conflict with Israel. In addition, it urged Pakistani nationals to avoid traveling to Lebanon until further notice, citing recent attacks in the region.

For those already residing in Lebanon, take commercial flights out of the country while they’re still available. This precautionary measure aims to ensure the safety of Pakistani citizens amidst the deteriorating security situation, the FO statement added.

Moreover, On Tuesday, the Federal Cabinet approved the establishment of the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund for Palestine and Lebanon, aiming to provide aid to victims of Israeli aggression. This fund will be specifically designated to help those impacted by the ongoing violence.

The cabinet also issued necessary instructions to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) to open an account in this regard. Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal will oversee the relief operations for Palestine and Lebanon, PM Office Media Wing said in a press release.