1,019 stranded Pakistanis evacuated from Yemen: FO

FO statement reveals around 100-150 Pakistanis are still present in Yemen; evacuation mission culminates

ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office announced on Friday that 1,019 stranded nationals had been evacuated from Yemen in the past 10 days through three special flights, three naval evacuations and a land rescue mission.

A statement issued by the ministry stated that around 100-150 Pakistanis are still present in the war-torn country. It added that the evacuation mission had culminated on April 7 as no more compatriots were registered with the ministry.

Read: Another PIA flight brings back 134 stranded Pakistanis from Yemen

“This was the first wide scale evacuation from Yemen … during the current crisis, and the first to conclude successfully, safely bringing back all nationals wanting to evacuate at a minimal cost to the national exchequer,” it added.

The FO appreciated the support extended by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif as well as the excellent coordination among all concerned departments, including Civil Aviation Authority, Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and the embassies in Sana'a, Muscat, Addis Ababa, Beijing and Riyadh.

Read: Nawaz orders immediate evacuation of stranded Pakistanis from Yemen

With reference to the “No Fly” restriction imposed by Riyadh, the statement also revealed that a special exemption was obtained by the Pakistani government.

“Around 30 foreign nationals, including eight Chinese, 11 Indians and some Europeans were also evacuated, following requests by their respective countries. The ship arrived in Karachi on April 7, 2015, where all arrangements for reception, immigration and onward travel had been made,” it added.