PICTURE: RADIO PAKISTAN
318 Pakistanis stranded in Syria brought home
Prime Minister expresses gratitude to govt of Lebanon for cooperation and assistance in evacuation of Pakistanis via Beirut.
ISLAMABAD: As many as 318 Pakistanis, who were stranded in Syria after rebels took over there, were brought back to the country from Beirut, Lebanon, on Friday.
These Pakistanis reached home in a chartered plane arranged by the government of Pakistan. They were first facilitated in crossing over to Lebanon. Many more Pakistanis have also reached Lebanon and would be airlifted soon.
Minister for Planning and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal and Chairman National Disaster Management Authority Lt. Gen. Inam Haider Malik received the Pakistani nationals at Islamabad International Airport.
In a statement issued by the media wing of the Prime Minister Office, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif said the safe evacuation of Pakistanis from Syria was the top priority of the government.
He appreciated the prompt action taken by Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Pakistani embassies in Syria and Lebanon in ensuring the safe evacuation 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 evacuation of Pakistanis via Beirut.
