PM Shehbaz orders urgent plan for safe evacuation of Pakistanis from Syria

The safety of Pakistanis’ lives and their property in Syria is our top priority: PM Shehbaz

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday directed authorities to devise an action plan for the safe evacuation of Pakistanis wishing to return from Syria, amid escalating tensions in the war-torn country.

The evacuation plan should be implemented “as soon as possible,” the PM said, prioritising the safety of Pakistani citizens. The directive came during a high-level meeting in Islamabad, where officials discussed the situation in Syria and the safe return of Pakistani nationals.

“All possible steps should be taken to ensure the safe evacuation of Pakistanis from Syria,” said PM Shehbaz. “The safety of Pakistanis’ lives and property in Syria is our top priority.”

Syrian rebels declared on Sunday that they had ended Bashar al-Assad’s 24-year authoritarian rule after a surprise offensive that took the world by surprise. This new development has added to the urgency of Pakistan's efforts to evacuate its citizens.

The PM instructed officials to use all available resources to facilitate the evacuation process. Additionally, he directed the Pakistan Embassy in Damascus to establish an information desk and helpline to assist Pakistanis.

“In light of the ongoing crisis, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Crisis Management Unit and the information desks at Pakistani embassies in Syria and neighbouring countries should remain operational round-the-clock,” he added.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Economic Affairs Minister Ahad Cheema, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, and Special Assistant to the PM Tariq Fatemi.