250 Pakistani pilgrims stranded as Syria’s crisis worsens

DAMASCUS: About 250 Pakistani pilgrims are stranded in Syria as the country plunges into chaos following a rebel offensive that toppled President Bashar al-Assad’s government. The closure of Damascus airport has halted flights, leaving many uncertain about their return.

Cham Wings, an airline that provides travel services in Pakistan, confirmed the cancellations. “Our flight to Lahore today has been cancelled, and another flight to Karachi on December 11 has also been cancelled,” said Tariq Samiullah, the airline’s country head. Pilgrims remain stranded with no clear update on flight schedules, as fears grow over clashes near Damascus, particularly in the Sayyidah Zainab area.

The rapid advance by the rebels marks a turning point in Syria’s 13-year civil war. President Assad has fled after rebels seized control of Damascus, ending his 24-year rule and more than five decades of Baath Party rule. The dramatic change has sparked celebrations across the capital, with thousands of people chanting “freedom” in central squares.

Adding to the uprising, rebels have liberated Sednaya prison, notorious for holding political prisoners, and freed thousands of prisoners in a symbolic victory. Reports also suggest that the Syrian military command has informed officers that Bashar al-Assad’s government has officially fallen.

In response to the crisis, Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) has activated its Crisis Management Unit (CMU) to assist stranded citizens. Pakistani nationals in Syria and their families have been urged to contact the CMU by phone (051-9207887) or email (cmu1@mofa.gov.pk). Meanwhile, the Pakistani embassy in Damascus is actively working to assist and facilitate the safe return of the victims.

The crisis, marked by the fall of the Assad regime, has captured global attention, signaling a seismic shift in the Middle East and raising concerns for the safety of foreign nationals trapped in the war-torn country.