Yemen: Pakistanis board Chinese vessel for evacuation to Djibouti

ISLAMABAD: 181 Pakistani citizens stranded in the Yemeni port city of Aden have boarded a Chinese naval vessel to be evacuated to the African state of Djibouti, the Foreign Office said Thursday.

A special PIA airplane is on standby at Karachi airport and will airlift the citizens once they reach the African country. The Chinese naval vessel is expected to reach Djibouti in seven hours.

Pakistani citizens in Aden had gone back to their residences the previous day after delays in authorization for the Chinese vessel to dock at Aden.

But, after clearance from Yemeni authorities, they were asked to return to the port from where they were taken by boat to board the Chinese vessel.

Arrangements have already been made by the Pakistani diplomatic staff in Djibouti for the immigration, related documentation and temporary stay of the citizens.

A foreign office spokesperson on Wednesday had said that the Pakistani nationals have completed their immigration process.

Meanwhile, a Pakistan Navy vessel has docked at the Yemeni port city of Mukallah to bring the remaining Pakistani citizens back to the country.