PM directs Foreign Office for safe evacuation of Pakistanis from Syria

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the Foreign Office for the safe evacuation of Pakistanis from the crisis-hit Syria.

A meeting was held regarding the evacuation of Pakistanis in view of the current situation in Syria under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

The prime minister directed to prepare a plan for the safe evacuation of Pakistanis who want to return home from Syria through the neighbouring countries as soon as possible.

He further said that measures should be taken for the safe return of Pakistanis living in Syria. The safety of lives and property of Pakistanis living in the gulf state is our first priority and all resources should be utilized for this purpose, he added.

The prime minister directed the Pakistani embassy in Damascus to set up an information desk and a helpline to contact Pakistanis.

He added that until the law and order situation improves, the Foreign Office Crisis Management Unit and information desks in Pakistani embassies in Syria and its neighboring countries should be kept active 24 hours a day.

Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Economic Affairs Minister Ahad Cheema, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, Special Assistant Tariq Fatemi and senior officials of relevant institutions participated in the meeting.